The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-12-28
CANAkI 2 $.

When the non-eXpert wishes 10 puy a canary, the wisest thing for him to do is to consult disinterested expert, by preference an amateur expert. Such a man will be able to tell him which or the numerous kinds of canaries is best suited to his particular needs, the best place to buy the bird and the price which should be asked for it. If he is very good -natured fellow, and if he is approached in the right way, he may even be persuaded to accompany the purchaser to the bird store and do the actual choosing.
 If, however, the buyer intends to se- lect the bird himself and take his chances, let him go to a first-c rell- able dealer, when he has plenty of time to look around him. Let him choose a bird in full plumage, and with clean, straight legs. It is best to get lively bird; one which is quiet and recom- mended for it's tameness is apt to be sick Most people who buy q single ca nary want a male, a singer. It Is not always easy even for experts to tell males from females at blance, but, as a. rule, the males may be identified by some of the following characteristics: Livelier in movement, brighter in color, the yellow of the temples and around the eyes being brightest of all head, wider and longer; body longer and more slender, legs longer and straight CT. and feet larger.
 When the bird has been selected he should be taken home at once; never left to be sent or called for. Of cages there Is an endless variety, of which wire ones of the simplest pattern are the best, being not only the neatest but the easiest to keep clean and free from l parasites If wood- and-wire cage is to be used one made of mahogany IS said to be the best The woodwork only should be painted; the metal wire is non absorbent and if the paint peels off it may be eaten by the bird with fla tai results.
 The cage should be hung in a room which receives at least a part of the morning sunlight, the more the better; but the bird itself should not be ex- posed to the direct rays of the sun ex- cept for a short time each day, other wise the color of the pumage will be | spoiled.
 One of the best general foods for ca- naries is mixture of rape and canary seeds. Hemp feed is too fattenins for a steady diet, and should be given very sparingly if at all. Some fanciers think | it mist ake ever to use hemp seed. Green food should be given in modera- tion at all times except when the birds are moulting or suffering from certain illnesses which the brevity of this arti- cIe prevents my giving description or. Generally speaking 1t is best to give the green food fin season" and when It is ripe. Chickweed plantain, lettuce, celery. tender white cabbage and ripe pears, peaches, bananas and sweet ap- ples are amongst the many green foods which canaries are fond of and which should be supplied frequently but not literally.
 The water cup should be filled regu- larly. It is we'll to give each morning just enough seed to last twenty-foul hours; otherwise the knowing bird DICKS out all the fine seeds the first day and are obliged to live on second-rate food for the rest of the time.
 One of the commonest complaint from which canaries suffer is 'surfeit, arising usually from overlooking oI from too monotonous diet. The birds become slow, dull and often mopy, anc the feathers of the head generally be- come thin and perhaps finally disap- I pear. A change of food should be giv- eu at once, and a few drops of lime juice should be put in the drinking wa ter. A drop or two of castor admins tered twice a week will help to bring z patient around, and an occasiona anointing of the head with drop o1 pure olive oil, or lard which has nc salt in it, will soon restore the lost plu' mage.
 Where @ number Of birds are kept to gether. it is always wise to remove z sick one and put him in separate cage by himself if for no other reason thar that sick birds are always more liable to the attacks of parasites. Cleanlines! will go a long way towards the proven ton of this trouble, but bird already infested may be quickly freed from th' pests by a gentle dusting with pyre thrum powder Camphor bags, hung il the corners of the cage, will also tent to keep away parasites. Canaries, lik' most other birds are very fond of bath ing. and they should be given chance to bathe once a day in suitable disl or bath pan, of water about the sam' temperature as the air. When th'