I 10 



British Cage Birds. 



if it is wild and intractable, and not much wonder at this 

 need be expressed, when it is considered that their duties are 

 frequently severe and onerous, and that time is often of 

 great importance. 



One point that buyers should recollect is that, though a 

 bird is successful on the show bench one year, it may be 

 of no use whatever afterwards, as so much depends on the 

 moulting process ; therefore, it is unwise of anyone to pay an 

 exorbitant price for a bird of this variety with the ex- 

 pectation that it will follow up its previous successes. These 

 remarks are equally applicable to many other varieties of 

 British birds. A bird about three years of age is generally 

 in its most perfect form as regards plumage and condition, 

 and is seldom so handsome afterwards. 



General Eemarks. — There are pied and other specimens 

 of OhafSnches ; but these are rarely met with, and are 

 produced, as a rule, by disease and old age, or irregular 

 moulting ; probably, in some cases, these peculiarities may 

 arise from hereditary causes. Anyone who is fortunate 

 enough to procure a superior songster, with much variation 

 of notes, and masterly execution, should purchase a few 

 hand-reared young male birds, and place them where they 

 can distinctly hear this bird sing, as some of them are sure, 

 in the course of time, to imitate some, if not the greater 

 part, or whole, of his song ; but they must not be permitted 

 to hear any other bird during the time they are being 

 coached, or the expense and trouble will be wasted. By 

 this means, and a continuation of the practice, a few choice 

 singing birds may be secured. 



When these birds are reared by hand they can be taught 

 the songs of other birds, but not so well if removed after the 

 age already stated. They are apt learners, and readily acquire 

 the notes of their parents. Although OhafiSnches reared and 

 moulted in a wild state are rather difiScult to domesticate, 

 especially old birds, those that are hand-reared become very 

 docile and tractable, and may, with patience and perseve- 

 rance, be taught to sing at command. In order to teach 

 them an artificial song, they must be kept in a dark, 

 secluded place, the cage being partly covered, to make 

 them more attentive to the instructions imparted by their 

 preceptor ; and they ought not to be brought to the light 



