Canary 
Management. 
( 7 °) 
THE BIRD WORLD. 
and the third six weeks old, when put on the 
feed. For old birds it is more difficult to find out 
the exact time, as they will have to be watched 
more closely. If they are given the feed about 
the middle of July, especially the cock birds, you 
will most likely get the best results. The hen 
birds, if to be colour-fed, will require more 
watching, as they may be feeding their last nest 
of young, in which case it will have to be delayed 
till the young are fledged. 
Composition of Colour-feed. 
The general practice in giving colour-feed is to 
give it mixed with egg-food, the same as is 
given to hens when feeding their young, adding 
a good teaspoonful of colour to one hard-boiled 
egg, and about the same quantity of crushed 
biscuit or stale breadcrumbs, well mixed 
together, and giving to each bird about a good 
teaspoonful of this mixture daily. After the 
birds get more used to this, add more colour 
gradually, till a good teaspoonful to one egg, etc., 
is reached. Continue giving daily doses regu¬ 
larly till it is seen that the old body feathers are 
all moulted; in fact, that all the feathers are 
moulted, save those of the head, which is always 
the last part to moult. This is the time to stop 
their feed gradually, so as not to get the head 
too fiery a colour in contrast to the body. 
The Toilet of Show Birds. 
The process of washing is rather a difficult 
operation to tackle at a first attempt, and re¬ 
quires a deal of care in handling the bird, as 
sometimes, with those who have had no expe¬ 
rience, it has very painful results. To those who 
are accustomed to it, it is a matter of small 
moment, but even then there is a considerable 
amount of skill required to do it thoroughly, for 
if a bird is only half-washed it will certainly look 
far worse than if it had not been touched at all. 
Birds should never be washed more than is actu- 
allv necessary, but when sending them to shows 
it becomes imperative, if you wish to stand any 
chance of winning. It would be very advanta¬ 
geous to the beginner, if he has the opportunity, 
to watch some experienced fancier perform this 
operation, as he would learn more by seeing it 
done than in any other way. When this is not 
possible, it will be found best to proceed in the 
following manner. Make up a good fire and 
rake all the dust from the bars, getting the fire 
as clear as possible and placing a kettle of water 
thereon to boil. 
Washing Accessories. 
Next get two or three chairs to put the wash¬ 
ing utensils on, and a low stool to sit on, and 
place them near the fire. Put a large open- 
fronted cage, with two or three perches across, 
and scrupulously clean, on the fender to warm, 
with a perfectly cLean duster or so placed inside 
on the bottom for the birds to lie on whilst dry¬ 
ing. Cover this over with a light towel or piece 
of flannel to keep the heat in. Two medium¬ 
sized basins will then be required to wash the 
birds in, one for washing and the other for 
rinsing, and a piece of soap. Use a badger-hair 
shaving-brush for washing them with, as the 
hair is very soft and does not injure the bird’s 
eyes like most other brushes. Place two or three 
towels on the fender to warm for drying the 
bird on, and fill a jug full of cold water, to make 
the bath of the proper temperature (about 80 de¬ 
grees) ; and, last, but not least, wash your hands 
thoroughly clean. The operation of washing 
should be done close to the fire, and all doors 
should be closed to keep any draught from the 
drying cage. 
How to Proceed. 
Catch the birds which are to be washed, and 
put them into a cage all together, covering it 
over if they begin to quarrel, in case they should 
damage one another’s plumage. Take the least 
valuable bird first and hold it in the left hand, 
with its head between the finger and thumb, the 
tail lying along the wrist. Dip the bird into the 
warm water and rub the brush on the soap and 
commence to wash the back and neck first. Don’t 
be afraid to rub the soap well in. Proceeding 
gradually along the sides of the wings to the 
tail, next wash the head, top of beak and sides 
of neck; and as this part is mostly the dirtiest, it 
will require a lot of working to get the dirt 
thoroughly out. Having done those parts 
thoroughly, turn the bird over and wash the 
throat and under part of the neck, proceeding 
along the breast to the tail again. Then rinse 
the bird well in the other basin of warm water, 
as the soap must be got thoroughly out of the 
feathers. Having completed this part success¬ 
fully, place the bird in one of the warm towels, 
quite close to the fire, and get as much water out 
of the feathers as possible, finally putting it into 
the drying-cage. Birds become very much 
exhausted under the operation, and the beginner 
may think that the bird is going to die, but by 
handling it carefully when undergoing the process 
of washing, and taking care that iit doesn’t get 
a chill, in about a half-hour after it is placed in 
the drying^cage it will be seen trimming its 
feathers and looking quite brilliant again. 
Rectifying Defective Feathers. 
Sometimes a feather of the tail is a little bit 
curled or twisted at the end when dry. Should 
this be the case, give the bird a little water to 
bathe in; but if this should not rectify it, put the 
feather or feathers into a little warm water, and 
draw them gently between the fingers and thumb 
a few times. This will generally put matters 
right. Occasionally, a wing or tail feather may 
get damaged or broken, and, should this happen, 
it is best to draw the quill out; but until it grows 
again the bird will not be fit for show purposes. 
