Our  Canaries  165 
head.  To  pair  with  such  a  bird,  you  require  a  hen  that  has  a  tendency  to  be 
marked  on  both  eyes.  She  may  also  have  wing  marks.  With  such  a  balancing 
of  markings  one  may  expect  an  improvement  in  the  marks  of  the  off-spring,  and 
may  breed  some  nice  un-even  birds,  or  possibly  an  even-marked  bird. 
"  A  few  points  must  be  watched :  Don't  breed  with  birds  capped — i.e.,  one 
having  dark  feathers  on  head,  or  that  is  patchy  on  breast  or  back ;  nor  with 
A  BAD  HABIT. 
A  hen  Canary  which  plucks  her  own  shoulder  feathers. 
birds  having  dark  under-flue.  Such  marks  often  show  themselves  afterwards, 
and  are  difficult  to  get  rid  of." 
WHEN  BIRDS  ARE  READY. 
Having  finally  selected  the  breeding  stock,  and  decided  upon  the  matings  that 
are  deemed  the  most  in  keeping  with  the  outlined  principle  of  balancing  points 
and  compensating  any  particular  failing,  it  will   require  but  little  discernment 
