36 
THE CANARY BIRD. 
W 
TO TEACH A YOUNG- CANARY TO SING. 
When the young birds can eat alone, say at the age of 
thirteen or fourteen days, and often before quitting the nest, 
the males commence warbling, and the females, also, but less 
connectedly and from this, the sexes may be distinguished. 
To teach a young Canary to sing, he must now be separated 
from his comrades, as well as from other birds, and placed in 
a small wire cage, which, at the commencement, must be 
covered with linen, and subsequently, by degrees, with thicker 
woollen cloth, when a short air, or other musical piece, must 
be whistled to him, or a flute, or a^ small organ may be used. 
This lesson should be repeated five or six times a-day, espe¬ 
cially mornings and evenings, and in five or six months, he 
will be able to acquire the air, according to the power of his 
memory. 
FOOD AND MANAGEMENT OF ADULT BIRDS. 
Except during the breeding season, the males may be kept 
in cages either bell-shaped or like that denoted in the adjoin¬ 
ing cut. These* may be made of wire or rattan, and should be 
at least a foot high and eight inches in diameter, with one or 
more transverse perches. 
The female is allowed either to have freedom in the room 
with her wings clipped, or is placed in a large breeding cage, 
possessing sufficient space to keep her limbs in constant 
exercise, and preserve them in health and strength. 
In the bell-shaped, or smaller cages, wherein it must be 
understood only one male should be put, both the eating and 
drinking vessels must be placed on the outside, at the ex¬ 
tremities of the lower perch. These should be surrounded by 
a cap of tin, so that the bird may not easily scatter its food. 
Cleanliness will often prevent these delicate songsters from 
~ ring many disorders, and it is very desirable tha f 
