54 



British Cage Birds. 



and vigorous health, and ought to be caged together during 

 the winter or spring months. To insure success, the cage 

 in which the birds are to be placed for breeding must be kept 

 in a quiet corner of the room, and, if possible, where 

 Canaries and Goldfinch and Canary mules are being bred. 

 It will be found advantageous to have the cages so placed that 

 the birds can see each other, as the example of their neigh- 

 bours will be found to act as a powerful incentive to induce 

 them to breed. 



During the process of incubation the utmost caution is 

 necessary, for on no account must the birds be disturbed. 

 Eemember, wild birds will not submit to be pushed about 

 and treated with so much freedom and familiarity as Canaries, 

 which are very shy ; and this is more particularly the case 

 with female Goldfinches and Linnets. 



Greenfinch and Bullfinch hens are quite exceptional in this 

 respect, and some of them will permit you to handle their 

 eggs and progeny without showing the least suspicion or 

 jealousy. This, however, is by no means the rule, and many 

 mishaps have been caused by fanciers exhibiting too much 

 eager curiosity and impatience during the process of breeding. 



Two or three days before the chicks are due, the parents 

 must be supplied with soft food. It is a good plan to 

 commence to use it on the twelfth day ; giving finely- 

 chopped egg and bread in about equal proportions; some- 

 times substituting lunch-biscuits for the bread. It must be 

 moistened with water, to form a rather stiffish paste, and 

 given fresh twice a day. Green food, such as watercress, 

 groundsel, chickweed, or young lettuce, must also be given, 

 when obtainable. It is well to try all, and supply the birds 

 with that which they appear to enjoy most. Give them, at 

 the same time, a constant supply of mixed seeds as follows : 

 Canary seed, 7 parts ; German rape, 5 parts ; linseed, 3 parts ; 

 millet seed, 2 parts ; groats, 2 parts ; maw seed, 1 part : put 

 into a box and shaken well together. If it is observed that 

 some of the seeds are invariably left, these may afterwards 

 be omitted. Be sure to obtain good, sound, wholesome seed, 

 free from dust and mildew, or they will reject it. 



If an indoor aviary be used instead of a cage such 

 as that described, for the purpose of breeding Hybrid 

 Finches, then the same treatment and management must be 

 observed as that already recommended, with this exception. 



