98 



CANARY BIRDS. 



has not been heated at all, for the variation of temperature, 

 between eighteen and even twenty-four degrees of warmth 

 during nesting-time, and ten degrees in January, might still 

 be fatal to them. The hens of the other delicate breeds, as, 

 for instance, the Dutch, may winter in the same manner as 

 the Hartz-birds. The females of the latter breed should, even 

 in winter, towards February, daily get some egg-food, so 

 that, when the time for breeding comes, they are robust and 

 inclined for pairing. Some grains of hemp should also be 

 given them among the rape-seed. 



The Education or Training of Young Birds. — 



"The training of young birds," says Bocker, " is, in my opinion, 

 the most important and the most interesting part of the whole 

 business. It is a source of pleasure and often, also, one of 

 great annoyance." The following may be accepted as 

 general rules : — The more numerous and the more proficient 

 the singing-models are, the more concordant their song is, 

 the better are the prospects of obtaining excellent young 

 birds ; two models whose song does not agree at all, will 

 but seldom form good singers. The defects of the old birds 

 are transferred to the young, but even a young bird which 

 has a single discordant note, such will crop up annually, de- 

 spite every care on the part of the breeder, and may, within a 

 few days, corrupt the whole company. Such birds as these 

 should be removed from the hatch at an early stage, and 

 disposed of as soon as possible, or they should, at least, be 

 put into a dark cage and in a cold room, so that their song 

 is reduced to what is called "composing." This will some- 

 times, but very rarely, have the desired effect. It will 

 further be advisable to suspend the " models " near 

 each other, so that they may mutually support each other. 

 The better among the young are then placed near 

 them, while the inferior ones are located at a greater dis- 

 tance. Birds which are hung immediately below one 



