C ANAR if-SIRD. 77 
of their voice is not very obferveable. Carelefs 
breeders will often match a gay bird with a fan- 
cy bird, and then the produce, partaking or 
both kinds, are called mules ; being foul irre- 
gular birds, of no value, for feather, though 
they may prove as good as any, mere*y foi ilng-» 
ing. The choice of birds for breeding will be 
confidered under the next article. 
For health, take a bird that appears with life 
and boldnefs, handing like a Sparrow-Hawk, 
not fubjeft to be feared at every thing that ftirs : 
therefore, when you obferve him, approach not: 
too near the cage, left by a motion of the 
hand, or otherwife, you cLifturb him ; it will 
make the bird, though not well, appear fpright- 
ly, and in health for a little time; but if you 
hand quiet, and at a proper diftance, you may 
foon difeover whether it is the effect of furprift 
or the natural fpirit of the bird : if he ftands 
up boldly, without crouching or fhrinking his 
feathers : if his eyes look chearful, and not 
drowfy, they are good ftgns of a healthful bird : 
but, on the contrary, i£ he be apt to clap his 
head under his wing, and ftand all of an heap, 
you may be fure he is not well. 
Obferve like wife his dung ; which, when he 
is in perfect health, will be round and hard, 
with a fine white on the outfide, and dark 
within, and will quickly be dry. If he bolts 
his tad like a Nightingale after he hath dunged ; 
G.3 
