Our  Canaries 
97 
water  to  render  the  quills  more  pliable,  and  then  brushed  gently  in  the 
required  direction  with  a  small,  warm  and  dry  camel-hair  brush  until 
the  feathers  are  quite  dry.  Then  continue  a  little  longer  with  a  small  pad 
of  old  silk  made  nice  and  warm,  and  grooming  all  round  the  crest  to  give 
it  the  best  possible  shape  and  droop,  always  keeping  the  centre  as  small 
and  round  as  possible. 
DRESSING  THE  CREST. 
Roughness  at  the  back  of  a  crest,  which  often  causes  a  patch  of  bare 
skin  to  be  seen,  may  often  be  very  largely  hidden  in  this  manner  by  grooming 
the  rough  and  outstanding  feathers  closely  down  on  the  back  of  the  head 
after  the  preliminary  moistening.  For  all  these  operations  it  will  be  most 
profitable  to  use  a  properly  made  crest  brush,  which  can  be  purchased  for  a 
trifle,  and  which  is  of  the  most  suitable  size  and  texture.  Too  large,  too  small 
or  unsuitable  texture  in  brushes  will  prevent  one  manipulating  a  crest  to  the  best 
advantage. 
HEALTH   AND   HIGH   CONDITION  ESSENTIAL. 
To  succeed  on  the  show  bench,  birds  must  be  in  best  possible  health,  and 
in  a  fairly  high  condition  generally.  On  this  subject  we  again  draw  upon 
the  experience  of  Mr.  J.  C.  Barnes,  who  writes  concerning  this  topic:— 
"I  am  not  a  great  believer  in  over-forcing,  but  I  do  believe  in  giving  help 
to  birds  that  have  to  undergo  the  ordeal  of  exhibition.  It  is  essential  that 
show  birds  appear  on  the  bench  in  the  best  of  trim,  but  at  the  same  time 
I  advise  you  not  to  get  your  birds  into  too  good  form.  Conditioning  birds 
can  be  overdone  as  well  as  underdone.  By  getting  your  exhibits  into  too 
high  condition,  they  are  apt  to  pull  themselves  out  of  shape;  use  discretion 
and  don't  overstep  the  mark. 
SOME  USEFUL  TONICS. 
"I  use  egg  and  bread-crumbs  with  a  little  sugar  and  maw  seed  added, 
Parrish's  Chemical  Food,  Allen  and  Hanbury's  Byno-Phosphates,  hemp 
seed,  gentian  and  a  special  mixture.  To  one  egg  boiled  hard  (15  minutes) 
add  trifle  more  bread-crumbs  than  egg,  one  teaspoonful  of  maw  seed,  half 
teaspoonful  of  moist  sugar.  To  each  bird  give  half  teaspoonful  a  day. 
Parrish's  Chemical  Food  can  be  placed  in  the  drinking-water  two  or  three 
times  a  week,  to  the  strength  of  port  wine  colour.  It  is  a  strengthener 
and  safe  to  use.  Allen  and  Hanbury's  Byno-Phosphates  is  most  excellent, 
and  finds  favour  with  me  more  than  anything  else  I  use  by  the  way  of  liquids. 
To  every  ounce  of  water  I  give  one  teaspoonful  stirred  well  together  three  times 
a  week.  A  better  conditioner  for  birds  I  do  not  know.  Hemp  seed  is  relished, 
but  give  in  moderation.  Gentian  acts  as  a  tonic,  and  a  few  drops  given  in  the 
birds'  drinking  water  twice  a  week  is  beneficial. 
