Our  Canaries 
203 
whereas  with  a  little  patience  in  getting  the  birds  into  right  bloom  before 
exhibiting  them,  it  will  repay  the  owner.  But  it  requires  as  much  patience 
to  get  a  Border  Fancy  Canary  into  the  pink  of  condition  as  it  does  to  wait 
and  see  what  a  certain  nest  contains  when  one  is  expecting  a  champion 
Even-Mark  amongst  them." 
MOULTING  THE  "DONS." 
We  are  indebted  to  that  Glasgow  breeder  of  the  National  bird  of  Scot- 
land, Mr.  R.  G.  JoUiffe,  for  giving  us  his  methods  of  moulting  this  breed. 
"  Moulting  is  a  severe  period,"  he  says,  "  and  much  depends  on  one's 
treatment  at  this  stage,  the  more  so  in  the  case  of  young  birds,  which  are 
generally  more  difficult  to  manage  than  older  birds.  A  bad  moult  generally 
means  that  the  cocks  and  hens  fail  to  breed  in  the  first  season,  which  con- 
dition of  things  is  usually  brought  about  through  cold  or  inriproper  diet,  or 
neglect.  Great  care  should  be  bestowed  on  them  at  this  stage  or  the  con- 
sequences might  prove  serious — possibly  the  undoing  of  your  season's  work,  besides 
worry,  and  expense. 
"  The  young  birds  will  begin  to  moult  when  from  eight  to  ten  weeks  old. 
Those  hatched  and  reared   early  in  the  year  are  sometimes  longer  in  be- 
ginning.    Some  will  shed  their  feathers  with  perfect  freedom  ;  some  again  will 
show  difficulty  in  doing  so :  all  rests  on  the  constitution  and  health  of  the 
bird,  the  stronger  ones  getting  over  it  much  more  easily  than  the  weaker  ones ; 
in  fact,  many  succumb  at  this  period.    The  drain  on  the  bird's  system  being 
so  great  during  the  moult,  they  should  be  well  fed.     A  few  dainty  bits  may 
be  given  them,  but  sparingly,  such  as  egg  and  bread  (or  biscuit),  maw  seed, 
millet  seed,  linseed,  and  a  few  groats.     Hemp  seed  I  think  is  injurious  and 
can  be  done  without.    A  small  bit  of  mutton  suet,  or  a  tiny  piece  of  apple 
can  be  placed  between  the  wires  of  the  cages  for  the  birds  to  peck  at.  Near 
the  end  of  the  moult  a  little  boiled  carrot  may  be  supplied  fresh  two  or 
three  times  a  week  for  several  weeks,  which  will  help  to  tighten  the  youngsters, 
and  put  a  fine  gloss  on  the  feathers.     At  this  time  green-food   should  be 
avoided,  with  the  exception  of  a  lettuce  leaf  now  and  again,  which  will  do 
the  birds  no  harm ;  or  even  a  little  groundsel,  but  this  must  be  given  very 
sparingly,  in  any  case  supplied  perfectly  ripe,  to  avoid  giving  them  diarrhoea. 
Plenty  of  fresh  air,  clean  cages  and  plenty  of  sand  must  be  given.     A  bath 
will  be  found  of  service  at  this  period,  and  will  promote  the  growth  of  the 
feathers  ;  but  care  should  be  taken  not  to  overdo  it,  or  harm  may  result." 
AMONG  THE  GREENS. 
With  a  few  remarks  on  the  proper  treatment  of  the  Green  varieties  dur- 
ing this  important  period  we  must  close  this  chapter.     Anent  the  moulting 
of  the  Norwich  Green,  Mr.  V.  H.  Deacon  says:— "As  the  Greens  require  no 
