Our  Canaries 
231 
exceptional  treatment  or  warmth,  save  what  is  meted  out  for  any  other  high-class 
Canary,  such  as  the  Yorkshire.  That  the  Belgian,  when  kept  under  sound  and 
healthful  treatment,  is  as  hardy  as  most  fancy  breeds  of  Canaries  is  attested  by 
its  oldest  and  most  successful  breeders  and  exhibitors,  whose  opinions  bear  the 
weight  of  long  practical  experience.  On  this  subject,  that  veteran  'Belgian 
enthusiast,  Mr.  James  Robertson,  makes  some  pointed  remarks  in  the  following 
kindly  contributed  notes. 
MR.  JAMES  ROBERTSON   ON  THE  BELGIAN. 
"  Of  the  origin  of  the  Belgian,  or  high-shouldered,  variety  of  the  Canary,  we 
know  little.  It  has  been  the  means  of  greatly  improving  several  of  our  British 
varieties,  for  instance,  the  Scotch  Fancy  and  Yorkshire.  But  I  regret  it  has  not 
been  more  admired  and  the  variety  propagated  by  ourselves,  as  fanciers,  seeing 
that  it  is  so  easily  managed,  being  so  tame  and  dignified,  and  so  peculiar  in  shape 
and  attitude  when  in  position, 
"  It  is  generally  considered  to  be  of  a  very  delicate  constitution  ;  which  is  not 
altogether  true,  as  I  have  found  from  experience.  Certainly  imported  stock  are 
not  so  healthy  or  strong  as  one  could  wish  ;  but  once  get  young  ones  from  a  pair 
of  imported  birds  reared  and  kept  in  a  sanitary  condition  (feeding  them  as  I  will 
shortly  describe),  and  they  will  be  found  to  be  equal  to  most  of  our  present 
varieties,  standing  our  winters  in  a  cold  room  without  any  pampering  whatever." 
UNWHOLESOME  CONDITIONS. 
"  I  have  never  been  to  Belgium  to  see  for  myself,  but  I  have  been  reliably 
informed  that  some  of  the  breeders  in  that  country  feed  the  birds  all  the  year 
round  on  egg-food,  and  keep  them  in  very  small  cages  with  one  perch  only, 
allowing  them  no  space  for  exercise,  nor  using  any  sand,  with  the  excreta 
nearly  up  to  the  perch.  No  one  could  expect  other  than  a  constitutionally  wasted 
bird  after  it  had  been  kept  under  such  conditions.  The  result  is  that  birds  kept 
under  such  conditions  are  said  to  be  delicate  and  unsound.  And  no  wonder! 
Some  of  our  home  fanciers  take  it  for  granted  the  birds  are  all  delicate,  and  must 
be  pampered  with  all  kinds  of  food  and  medicines  to  keep  them  alive,  whereas  if 
only  a  little  natural  treatment  were  given  and  space  allowed  the  birds  for  exercise, 
it  would  add  greatly  to  the  health  and  stamina  of  the  birds." 
HOW  TO  TREAT  IN  WINTER. 
*•  I  will  mention  how  my  birds  are  fed  and  kept  in  winter  in  a  room  without 
fire  or  heat  other  than  the  ordinary  temperature  of  the  house.  I  prefer  the  hens 
to  have  the  use  of  a  large  flight  cage,  but  have  to  use  large  cages  of  box  pattern 
instead  (3  ft.  long,  16  inches  high  by  9  in.  from  back  to  front,  with  top  to  lift  off 
for  cleaning),  having  no  room  for  a  large  flight.  Seed  :  one  box  of  Canary  seed, 
another  box  with  half  niger  and  half  summer  rape  and  at  odd  times  a  little  hemp  or 
maw  seed.    Sometimes  I  put  a  few  kernels  of  hazel  nuts  through  the  egg  mill  and 
