144 
Our  Canaries 
apparatus,  with  which  the  temperature  can  be  regulated  to  a  nicety.  Under 
these  conditions  all  may  go  on  well,  and  brood  after  brood  of  birds  be 
brought  to  maturity. 
THE  PROPER  COURSE. 
But  when  birds  are  kept  under  more  normal  conditions,  as  is  the  case 
with  the  vast  majority  of  fanciers,  the  best  course  to  pursue  at  this  unstable 
season  is  to  devote  attention  to  preparing  the  birds  in  readiness  for  the  proper 
season,  and,  as  far  as  possible,  endeavour  to  prevent  them  becoming  in  too 
fresh  condition  prematurely.  When  they  appear  to  be  coming  too  forward, 
and  are  seen  singing  furiously  at  each  other  and  answering  a  wee  call  from 
another  bird  with  a  vigorous  challenge,  they  will  need  judicious  feeding  on  a 
plain,  wholesome  diet  for  a  time  to  cool  their  ardour,  and  it  may  be  necessary 
— certainly  it  is  always  advisable — to  keep  the  sexes  out  of  sight  of  each 
other  ;  if  they  can  be  also  kept  out  of  ear-shot  until  the  mating  season  is  close 
at  hand  so  much  the  better.  Too  much  space  for  exercise  cannot  be  given, 
but,  as  space  is  usually  of  a  limited  kind,  the  birds  should  be  so  placed  in 
groups  of  three  or  four  in  large  flight  cages,  not  overstocked  with  perches,  so 
that  the  birds  may  have  to  use  their  wings  to  a.  certain  extent  in  travelling 
from  perch  to  perch.  Only  birds  of  the  same  sex  must  be  placed  together  in 
the  same  cage,  and  there  they  should  remain  until  the  first  week  in  April, 
which  is  quite  early  enough  to  put  the  birds  together  for  breeding. 
ANOTHER  VIEW. 
On  this  point,  however,  opinions  vary  considerably,  as  is  well  shown  by 
the  following  note  from  Mr.  R.  G.  Joliffe,  hailing  from  bleak  and  bonny 
Scotland.  He  writes  on  this  subject: — "The  cocks  and  hens  should  be  put 
together  early  in  March,  or  even  February  is  not  too  soon.  Much  depends 
upon  the  weather,  but  as  a  rule  the  first  week  in  March  is  the  best  time. 
Before  putting  them  together  it  is  advisable  to  put  them  in  separate  cages, 
and  so  place  them  that  they  may  be  able  to  see  each  other.  Indeed,  it  is  an 
advantage  to  place  them  as  close  as  you  possibly  can,  to  make  them  as 
familiar  with  each  other  as  possible.  Without  this  plan  it  often  happens  that 
quarrels  take  place  of  a  serious  nature.  The  hen  frequently  resents  the  cock's 
advances  ;  ill  feeling  results,  and  is  not  at  all  conducive  to  their  future  well- 
being." 
THE  CRUX  OF  THE  MATTER. 
Though  we  respect  and  value  the  opinion  of  so  experienced  a  breeder,  we 
would  venture  to  re- iterate  that  the  real  point  is  to  be  equipped  with  good 
appliances  for  heating  the  room  if  necessary,  and  thereby  be  at  all  times 
very  largely  independent  of  the  vagaries  of  our  climate — it  is  doubtful  whether, 
with  the  very  best  appliances,  one  can  ever  remain  long  totally  regardless  of 
these   influences.     Otherwise,   as   our   correspondent   candidly  admits,  much 
