Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-23
BREEDING CANARIES.
How the Birds are Mated and How the
Young Should be Treated.
SxraHr OF THE BREEDING sEAsoS-rHE CAGE
AND NEsT-THE MALES wooINa-oHARAorKR
OF THE FooD-DANGERs TO THE YoUSa-How
LONG THEY SHOULD BE KEPT IN THE NEST.

OF THE FooD-DASeERs TO THE YouSa-How
LONG THEY SHOULD BE KEPT IN THE NEST.
''The breeding season for csuaries il now at
its height" said a well-known bird fancier to
STAR reporter, land there are upward Of a
thousand pairs of the beautiful little creatures
that know of that are bustling about, lining
their nests, and making great preparations to
rear family
What is the proper way to breed canaries?''
naked the reporter.
The first thing needed, of course, is a cage
This should be made ofbrass or wood although
would advise the former, as it keeps free
from insects. The cage should be not less than
sIlO, although 10xl6 is far preferable. In
placing 1t care must be taken TO hang it about
or Ieet from the floor, looking to the south.
breeding cages should always be stationary.
Inc nests are made of wire, cane and straw.
employ the WIRE ones, and partially line
them with cotton batting, leaving a little deer
nalr about the cage so that the birds may
arrange the lining to suit themselves. Gravel
should be sprinkled in goodly quantities on the
draw OF the cage, together with a little plaster
ing from an old building, or, II convenient, a
little crushed oyster shell, This latter requi-
site Is most important" continued the fancier.
Tor 1t prevents birds from laying soft-shell
egga
THE FOOD
during the breeding season. he continued, sis
another important factor in the breeding of
canaries. Many people think that as long AS a
bird has plenty of seed it makes little differ
ence. This Is q great mistake, as there are
several varieties Of seeds which, when fed alone,
not only produce drowsIness, bat sickens the
little fellow, who fingers a while, only to die
The owner, who is possibly greatly attached to
the bird, grieyes considerably and little thinks
that she has been the cause of it all. Birds
during the mating season require a particular
kind Of food; for instance, a little rape, canary
and millet seeds mixed, and, for a single pair of
birds, little hard boiled egg mixed with
cracker dust. bunch of lettuce, celery or
slice of sweet apple is also greatly relished
1t Is capital plan to let the pair of birds in
tended to be mated hang within sight of each
other before being put IN the same cage, by
way of introduction. for canary birds are not
hrm believers III love at first sight. When in
the same cage hang them up and never disturb
them, for IN the breeding of canaries absolute
quiet Is an essential element to their we'll
being. Many and many a pair have been
ruined by too much handling and many
beautiful family left to languish in the narrow
Confines of shells on account of too much
curiosity"
THE YOUNG.
'How about the little ones?" ventured the
reporter.
Seating himself upon a box. the home and
breeding place of meal worms, the pet fancier
continued:
''fhe old maxim of like produces like ap-
plies equally well to caEaries, SO when you are
ready To select your stock do SO with great
care. If you want offspring of clear deep
yellow, let unmarked birds be mated, or should
you, on the other hand desire birds of cinna-
mon hue mate two of that color, or a deep
colOred gold male with green female Again
Ia 10 la1 hir15 he fnrv,
rule refuses to work in this case; as notified
birds are the offspring of impure stock, and
they are just as liable to produce yellow birds
as notified or speckled ones. COlors and
sizes are often reproduced" continued the
bird man, but voice and songs never. The
young birds that sings like their father do SO
because they only hear his voice, while young
bird will readily learn the notes of a redbird,
a lark. or nightingale as quickly as the song of
canary. When they are thus taught their
value Is greatly enhanced"
about peculiarities such as top-knots, can
they be reproduced"
Very easily" he replied. 1.-TWO crested
birds will produce offspring with top-knots, but
after long experience prefer TO mate crested
bird with plain head"
ries?"
Very seldom" replied the bird man, sit
sometimes happens that the lady bird is quar-
relsome old maid, and in that case the male is
indeed sad wooer; sitting beside her he pours
forth his plaintive melody, but all to no avail
Tor he invariably receives thrashing for it,
and, poor fool, takes it calmly and submits
When the birds are first put together fight or
quarrel usually follows. but they soon make it
up, the male bird making the first advances
She usually repels him and moves over to one
Side OF the cage and watches him with one eve.
II the gallant is wise one he will sing her his
best song and then try to coax her with
cracked seed. The first indication that every
thing is all right, is the male feeding his mate.
After the first egg is laid rest easily, for she
has three more yet TO lay.
HATcHISG.
'After the fourth egg the female will begin
to set, and in thirteen days the little scrawny
creatures will have arrived. Sometimes after
thirteen days there is no sign of the young
birds. In such case let the bird remain updis-
turbed for several days longer. When the
young ones have made their debut the old bird
is all attention; he sings every chance he gets.
and takes the pface of his mate whenever
asked But sometimes he is a bad man. and
persuades his wife to give up the little ugly
fellows. She consents without any feeling
and if something is not done Immediately a
nest full of dead birds will greet you In such
cases the yelk of an egg moistened with saliva
should be given the youngsters on The end of
"a stick"
How can you tell when they are being neg
lected?'
Very easily. With young birds, if in place
OF full, round breasts and heavy abdomen you
fnd every feature dwarfed, it Is time to COM
mence artificial feeding. Fresh food will some
times induce the mother to feed the young.
There is another important thing that should
De carefully guarded against" continued the
bird man, land that Is the sweating of the
young. 1t is brought about by the female set
ting too closely, and is readily distinguished
by the down OF the young being matted and
tangled"
is there any way to prevent it?" asked the
reporter.
Sometimes this will continue no matter what
IL DONE" replied the fancier. 'but il can often
be stopped by removing the male bird from
the cage, thereby compelling the female to
leave her nest quite frequently in search OF food
Another good plan is to arrange the cages in
such miner that the male can put his head
through the wires and call his mate.
slow about insects; do they worry the
young TO any extent?'
"Insects have been known to kill young
birds, indeed / might add old ones too. When
dnd nest infested replace it with similar
one"
How long should one keep the young con-
fined to their nest."
As long as possible" answered the bird man.
II mean by that until they are about three weeks
old They are then able to use the perches."
suppose the old birds wish to rear another
family while yet their family is young?"
That's very easily accomplished Separate
the birds, giving the young to the male. he
will feed them all right. Every night and
morning, however. he should be placed in the
cage with his mate. and after the third egg has
been laid II Is best TO put him with her al
together. i have now pointed out the dangers