Our  Canaries 
sites.  In  all  such  situations  these  rush  nests  are  admirable  for  securing 
firmly  in  the  centre  of  the  bushes  or  shrubs  provided  to  form  nesting  sites 
and  at  the  same  time  assist  the  birds  to  build  a  tolerably  decent  nest  without 
the  frightful  litter  and  untidy  appearance  which  characterises  the  efforts  of  the 
average  canary  at  nest  making  in  such  situations. 
WHERE  TO  FIX  THE  NEST  PAN. 
The  position  of  the  nest  in  the  cage  is  the  next  point  to  consider,  and  it  will 
to  a  certain  extent  depend  upon  the  type  of  cage  used.  But  the  place  where  it 
should  not  be  is  close  to  the  wire  at  the  front  of  the  cage.    In  their  nesting 
arrangements  the  hens  have  still 
left  in  their  anatomy  a  sufficiency 
of  the  old  wild  nature  to  desire 
privacy  and  seclusion  at  this  time, 
and  if  given  a  free  choice  will 
almost  invariably  select  a  quiet 
nook  well  out  of  view  of  prying 
eyes  and  meddlesome  fingers. 
Thus,  when  they  are  confined  in 
small  cages  and  compelled  to 
carry  out  all  their  maternal 
duties  close  against  the  wires, 
where  they  are  constantly  within 
touch  of  the  owner,  and  under  the 
closest  possible  observation,  it  is 
putting  an  undue  and  altogether 
unnecessary  strain  upon  their 
tractable  qualities,  and  it  is  small 
wonder  if  the  more  highly-strung 
THE  OLD-FASHIONED  TYPE  OF  WOODEN 
NEST  BOX. 
and  nervous  specimens  fail  to  do  all  that  is  required  of  them. 
THE  BEST  POSITION  FOR  THE  NEST. 
In  the  ordinary  box  cage  the  middle  of  the  back  between  the  two  perches, 
and  an  inch  or  so  above  the  level  of  the  perches  is  the  best  all-round  position.  It 
is  sometimes  hung  on  one  end  of  the  cage,  but  in  this  position  it  must  either 
obliterate  a  good  portion  of  the  perch  at  the  end,  providing  the  nest  box  or  pan  is 
hung  higher  than  the  perch,  or  the  nest  must  be  lower  than  the  perch,  and  the 
latter  will  overhang  it.  Either  position  is  undesirable,  because,  apart  from  all 
other  considerations,  the  close  proximity  of  the  perch  is  apt  to  induce  the  young 
to  climb  out  of  the  nest  sooner  than  they  otherwise  would,  and  also  seems  to 
expose  the  nest  to  more  of  the  unwelcome  attentions  of  the  cock  than  is  advisable. 
