J ^2  Our  Canaries 
 a  term  which  still  exists  in  describing  London  Fancies.     In  the  Lizards 
the  terms  "Gold"  and  "Silver"  are  used  in  place  of  "yellow"  and  "buff" 
respectively. 
FAILING  TO  BREED. 
One  of  the  most  serious  disappointments  the  young  fancier,  with  only  a 
pair  or  two  of  breeding  stock,  has  to  contend  with  is  the  total  failure  of  a 
hen  to  breed,  although  she  may  appear  in  the  most  magnificently  healthy  and 
promising  condition,  and  have  every  possible  luxury  and  convenience  for 
acting  according  to  natural  instincts,  including  a  vigorous  mate,  whose  evident 
anxiety  to  proceed  with  the  business  only  adds  to  the  chagrin  of  the  owner. 
The  discouraging  feature  has  been  brought  to  our  notice  so  often  that  we 
consulted  our  friend  and  collaborator,  Dr.  T.  A.  Bowes,  of  Heme  Bay,  upon  the 
subject,  who  very  kindly  undertook  to  look  into  the  matter,  and  who,  after 
dissecting  a  number  of  suitable  subjects  to  endeavour  to  throw  light  upon  the 
matter,  has  kindly  contributed  the  following  notes  :— 
"SQUATTING"  HENS. 
"  This  term  is  applied  to  hens  that  endeavour  to  perform  the  functions  of 
building  a  nest,  laying  eggs,  and  incubating  them,  but  fail  wholly  in  the 
production  of  eggs.  Attempts  at  nest  building  are  sometimes  excellent,  but 
more  commonly  no  effort  is  made,  or  at  best  a  very  indifferent  one.  Then 
follows  the  curious  squatting  process.  She  starts  attempts  at  incubating  eggs 
which  are  non-existent,  by  sitting  in  the  empty  nest  or  in  the  well-finished 
nest,  and  is  perfectly  content  to  exceed  the  usual  period  of  fourteen  days, 
extending  it  even  up  to  eight  weeks,  unless  stopped  by  the  removal  of  the 
pan.  Hens  of  all  ages  are  subject  to  it,  and  a  change  of  cock  has  no  effect; 
even  one  that  may  be  famous  for  his  success  in  sending  hens  to  nest  will 
signally  fail  to  overcome  the  perverted  hen,  although  she  is  apparently  quite 
healthy  in  every  other  respect. 
"The  following  instances,  which  are  all  actual  occurrences,  may  well  be 
studied  in  an  endeavour  to  throw  light  on  this  puzzling  and  disappointing 
condition.  In  every  case  the  hen  apparently  was  in  good  health  and  promised 
well." 
CASES  INVESTIGATED. 
"  I.  A  one-year-old  untried  Border  hen,  or  an  older  tried  hen,  paired  up  in 
the  usual  way,  makes  attempts  at  building,  but  after  a  few  half-hearted  efforts 
pulls  the  nest  to  pieces,  and  makes  a  fresh  start,  only  to  repeat  the  process 
several  times  till  a  month  or  so  has  elapsed.  Then  laying  occurs,  and  incuba- 
tion and  rearing  of  the  young  proceed  naturally. 
"  2.  An  untried  Crest-bred  hen,  one  year  old,  paired  up,  makes  partial 
attempts  at  building,  but  lays  no  eggs.  Incubation  is  started,^  and  the 
squatting  on  nothing  is  allowed  to  go  on  for  fourteen  days.  The  pan  is  removed 
and  shortly  the  hen  is  started  again  and  natural  laying  occurs. 
