20 



future seasons, inbreeding to some extent is unavoidable. Any evil 

 effects of such proceedings are obviated, however, by a free inter- 

 change of liens between neighbouring breeders. By this means all 

 are benefited, and the health of the stock is kept assured. The 

 selection of the cocks with the same object in view, namely, the 

 keeping of the inbreeding under control, is rendered easy by a 

 system of marking the wing or flight-feathers of the young stock 

 while still with their parents. With the choice of some four 

 dozen flight and tail-feathers, which will of course be permanent 

 until the second moult, it is easy to vary the notches to correspond 

 with notes in the diary, so that the percentage of any individual cock 

 can be ascertained with ease and certainty.* 



FOOD. 



The question of correct feeding of cage birds in general, and of 

 German Canaries in particular, has long been, and is even now, a 

 much contested point. After fining down the practical experience 

 of numerous bird lovers, and of some professional and amateur 

 breeders, I find the following rules for treatment are most generally 

 adopted and observed. 



THE STAPLE POOD . 



consists of good, sound German or summer rape only. It is surprising 

 how well, and for how long a time, Canaries and Finches will 

 thrive on this grain alone. It is only during the moult that seeds of 

 greater sustaining qualities may be necessary, but there are many 

 thousands of Canaries who do not even enjoy that privilege, and 

 have to live on rape seed all the year round, yet they remain in 

 health and sing to a good old age ; a clear proof of the well-balanced 

 properties of the seed. 



Birds feeding young receive, of course, more heating and more 

 nourishing sustenance, of which 



EGG- FOOD 



takes the first place. This is prepared by mixing the yolk of a hard- 

 boiled fowl's egg, well granulated with two tablespoonfuls of 

 powdered 



" ZWIEBACK," 



a commodity which can be purchased quite cheaply at any German 



*Bings Numbered are far preferable to the wing clipping system, and can be 

 supplied by Mr. Rudd. 



