seeds and occasionally eat figs or other small fruits in season. In a wild state they nest early in spring and again later, rearing two broods. The nest, made of plant stems and grasses and lined with hair and plant downs, is placed in bushes or low trees. The eggs are clear green in color, spotted and clouded with deep wine red and reddish brown. From three to five eggs are deposited.

VARIETIES.

Variation among domesticated canaries began early, as Hernandez, in 1587, speaks of the canary as wholly yellow in color save for the tips of the wings. The various forms have had their origin in distinct geographic areas, and though some are almost extinct at present, all at one time or another have had a devoted following of fanciers. At present at least 14 distinct strains, with a large number of varieties, are known.

The common canary is reared primarily for its song, and from it probably came the roller, or song canary, a great favorite in Germany and, more recently, in England. In rearing song canaries attempt is made to produce males with clear, soft, pleasing songs with long rolls or trills, and no attention whatever is paid to other characters. These birds, therefore, are usually nondescript as regards color and appearance, but care is taken in mating to secure males that are good singers and females from good stock. The young birds when fledged are put in rooms with birds noted for their soft song, and here, through imitation, they develop their own vocal powers. Careful watch is kept over them, and any bird developing harsh notes is removed at once to prevent his corrupting the purity of tone in the song of his brothers. A mechanical instrument known as a bird. organ, that produces liquid trills, is frequently utilized in training, usually when the adult birds are silent during molt. Ordinarily the room where these birds are kept is darkened, and frequently the cages containing the young birds are screened with cloth to lessen a tendency to objectionable loudness of song. In six months or less, their education completed, these songsters may be sold or in their turn utilized in training others still younger. It is common to teach these birds some simple strain or air, through its constant repetition. by whistling or by means of an instrument. Well-trained birds bring high prices, and a fair number of these find their way each year into this country.

In the great class of exhibition birds perhaps none is more striking than the Belgian canary (fig 1). Formerly known as the "king of the fancy," it was reared extensively in Belgium, but of late years its popularity has been on the decline. In 1911 it was said that few pure-bred Belgians were to be found, and under present war con

ditions it may never recover its own. The typical Belgian canary is a large bird with a small head, long, slender neck, large shoulders, and a long, tapering body. It is primarily a bird of "position." When examined it hops up on a perch and throwing its shoulders up brings the head down well below their level. The back and tail form a perpendicular line and the feet are held close together.

Another bird of position is the Scotch fancy canary (fig. 2). This variety resembles the Belgian, but when in position throws the tail in under the perch until its outline in profile is almost a semicircle. Another well-marked variety is the cinnamon carary, one of the earliest forms to appear, but one whose origin is wholly unknown. Its true color is a dun or dull brown that has been likened to cinnamon. In exhibition birds the color is usually intensified by

FIG. 1.-Belgian fancy canary.

FIG. 2.-Scotch fancy canary.

color feeding (see p. 12). In addition to the body color the cinnamon canary is peculiar in possessing red or pink eyes, a character that denotes cinnamon blood even in a yellow or buff bird. The cinnamon inheritance is transmitted only by the male; young reared from a cinnamon mother and a male of any other form lacking cinnamon blood never show signs of their cinnamon parentage.

Among the old-established varieties that now are in decadence none is more striking than the lizard canary (fig. 3). Lizard canaries are known as gold or silver according as the body color is yellow or silvery gray. The wings and tail are black and the back is spangled with numerous somewhat triangular black spots. The crown in pure-bred birds is unspotted and light in color.

The crested canary is another unusual form, with a long crest extending down around the head below the level of the eyes (fig. 4). The frill or Dutch frill canary is a large bird with long curling feathers. The Lancashire is the largest of known varieties of the canary, standing

head and shoulders above all others. These "giant" canaries may be crested or smooth headed. Other forms that may be mentioned are the border fancy, a small bird, and the Norwich, or Norwich plain head, from which come many of the common canaries.

It must not be supposed that the number of varieties

FIG. 3.-Lizard canary.

of canaries enumerated covers the entire field. For each of the main forms there are almost endless groups or divisions that have been developed on color peculiarities. To obtain pure-bred birds requires constant care and supervision, and with any slackness of method a

FIG. 4.-Crested canary.

host of mongrels appear. Interbreeding between the various forms, differing so widely in color, results in reversion to the original type, which was a spotted or striped greenish bird, certain proof of the common origin of all.

CAGES.

When choosing cages in which to keep ca

naries, the primary consideration should be the comfort of the birds, and this should not be sacrificed to any desire for ornate appearance. There are several types on the market, any of which may serve.

So

far as shape is concerned, the square cage is best, as it affords more room for exercise than one with rounded corners.

For a single bird, the cage should be at least 9 inches long, 61 inches wide, and 9 inches high. A larger size is much better. The ordinary cages secured from dealers in this country are made of wire and are open on all sides. Each is fitted with receptacles for food and water, usually at opposite ends. A fine-mesh wire screen may be secured from the dealer and fastened around the lower half of the cage to prevent the scattering of seeds and seed hulls. A common substitute for this is a simple muslin bag, held in place by a drawstring fastening tightly about the middle of the cage. In a cage of ordinary size three perches are sufficient. One should be placed at either end at a distance that will allow easy access to the food and water receptacles, and the third elevated above the middle of the cage at its center. A bird confined in small quarters is dependent for exercise on hopping about from perch to perch, and this arrangement will give the maximum freedom of movement. In larger cages four perches may be advisable. These should not be placed so that they interfere with the free movement of the bird, and for reasons of cleanliness one perch should not be directly above another. In small wire cages, if the swing perch usually found suspended in the center is removed, the bird will have more room, and in hopping back and forth will not be continually striking head or wings. In larger cages this perch may remain. Perches should be large enough for the toes of the bird to grasp them readily and encircle them for three-fourths of their circumference. If they are too small they cramp the foot and cause trouble. They should be elliptical in shape, with the flattened portion above. If perches furnished with the cage do not meet these requirements, others may be made from soft wood without much trouble.

Cages in which canaries are to breed must be large and roomy in comparison with those intended for single occupants. An English authority gives the standard size for breeding cages as 22 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 16 inches high. Several types of open breeding cages made of wire may be obtained, or a box with a wire front may be made. The latter is recommended by breeders who rear large numbers of canaries, as it is both convenient and inex-pensive and protects the birds from drafts. Where large numbers of canaries are kept these box cages are placed in racks one above another or arranged on a series of shelves along the wall of the bird room. They are provided with a sand tray three-fourths of an inch deep, that slides in and out from the front and facilitates cleaning. Perches may be adjusted in the following manner: One end is notched and the other has a brad driven in it filed to a sharp point. The sharpened brad is pressed against the back of the cage and a

wire on the front slipped into the notch. If made the right length the pressure of the wire will hold the perch in position.

For shipping birds the small wicker cages in which canaries come to dealers are best. These are fitted with deep, narrow-necked food and water receptacles that do not readily spill, so that there is a minimum of waste during the journey. A small packet or sack of seeds should be tied to the outside of the cage in order that the bird's supply may be replenished en route.

CARE OF CAGES.

Though canaries when acclimated can endure a great degree of cold without discomfort, they are very susceptible to sudden changes in temperature, and cold drafts soon prove fatal. This should be borne in mind in choosing a place for the cage. A place along the wall at some distance from a window is better for the bird, yet cages are usually suspended before windows. This may be permitted if the window is kept closed and the joints are tight. It may be necessary to line the edges of the window frame and the junction of the upper and lower halves of the window with weather stripping to prevent drafts. The room must remain at a fairly even temperature day and night. For this reason it is best to avoid keeping birds in small kitchens, as the fluctuations in heat are perhaps more marked there than in any other part of the house. Exposure to damp air is also likely to be fatal, another reason for avoiding the steam-laden air of small kitchens. Direct exposure to a strong draft of cold air must always be avoided. A cage may be placed on a small shelf along the wall or suspended from a bracket attached to the wall or window casing. Brackets are inexpensive and are convenient for use when it is impracticable to fasten hooks in the ceiling.

Wherever placed, the cage must be kept scrupulously clean if the canary is to remain in good health and free from vermin. Seed supplies must be replenished and water renewed each day. The receptacles for these necessities should be cleaned and washed carefully at short intervals. Cages that have removable bases should have the tray in the bottom covered with several thicknesses of paper. A better plan is to use the heavy coarse-grade sandpaper, known as gravel paper, that may be secured from dealers in cage-bird supplies. This should be renewed whenever the cage is cleaned, and in addition the pan should be washed in hot water from time to time. Lime on the perches may be removed by means of a scraper made of a bit of tin fastened to a wire or tacked at right angles to a stick small enough to pass easily between the wires of the cage. Cages with bottom attached should be provided with a sand tray that slides in and out through a slot in the front. This serves to catch droppings, seed hulls, and other waste, and it may be easily pulled out, cleaned, and refilled with fresh sand.

58563°-Bull. 770-16-2