Female hybrids, unless well marked or clear in colour, are of no value intrinsically.

In addition to the hybrids already mentioned, it has been asserted that the yellow-hammer and canary have bred together, and I have seen a mule exhibited, said to be a cross between the species named, and a prize was awarded to it. I examined it most minutely, but failed to find a trace of canary in its composition, nor could I discover anything about the bird to lead me to believe that it was other than an ordinary yellow. hammer.

In my own experience, I have never observed any signs of affinity to exist between the yellow-hammer and canary. Besides, yellow-hammers are insectivorous as well as graineating, which canaries are not; and I doubt very much whether hybrids so bred (?) could be reared on canary diet.

Mules can be bred between the goldfinch and greenfinch, the goldfinch and linnet, siskin and goldfinch, bullfinch and goldfinch, goldfinch and redpole, bullfinch and greenfinch, and bullfinch and linnet. In fact, any two varieties of the finch family may, with care and patience, and if in good health and under favourable circumstances, be induced to breed, and any of these will breed with the canary. In the latter case we prefer the hen to be the canary, and in using goldfinches we prefer the male to be of that variety. Mules bred between the greenfinch and linnet, or greenfinch and bullfinch, or greenfinch and siskin-in fact, any mules bred between the greenfinch and any other variety of the finch tribe, are never handsome, and are looked upon more as a rara avis than otherwise; by far the handsomest mules are those bred between the goldfinch and canary, and next to these are preferred the specimens obtained between the bullfinch and goldfinch, many of these crosses producing very handsome birds.

CHAPTER IV.

DISEASES.

GENERAL REMARKS.-There is a quaint old saying that "Prevention is better than cure," and there is more philosophy in that maxim than at first sight appears, except to those who may be intimately acquainted with the "Ills that flesh is heir to."

It is well known to pathologists that the most prolific causes, both in the origination and dissemination of diseases, are, first, the eating of food which is too rich and nourishing, and, secondly, the overloading of the stomach. These, as a natural sequence, are the promoters of indigestion or dyspepsia, which is the forerunner of a great variety of complaints, more particularly in those who are of a thriving constitution, with a natural tendency to obesity. Such people, if they partake too freely of the good things of this life, are prone to gout and rheumatism and other kindred ailments, and more particularly if they lead an inactive and sedentary life, Perhaps the next great evil is the want of sufficient fresh air and outof-door exercise. Close confinement is a great enemy to health, without which life becomes a weary burden. Calisthenics, or even athletic exercise, if used in moderation, invigorate the human frame and give strength and vitality to those who without them would be weak and delicate. If, then, the science of physiology teaches us that these things are to be duly regarded, in order that we may enjoy good and uninterrupted health, how much more necessary is it that they should be fully

considered and carefully weighed in administering to the wants and necessities of our feathered captives who are constant prisoners?

CAUSES OF DISEASE.-As I have already stated, many illnesses are brought on by over-feeding, others are engendered through neglect. Some fanciers give their birds egg and bread, chickweed, cabbage, lettuce, dandelion, groundsel, &c., in unmeasured quantities, and the birds amuse themselves, after having satiated their appetites, by throwing the former into the bottom of their cages, and by pulling the green food inside as well. This is the result of giving birds more food than they can possibly consume in one day. In the course of a few days it becomes sour; and if they partake of it, as they will do at times, the consequences which usually ensue are cases of diarrhoea, or, still worse, inflammation of the bowels or intestines, which, if not promptly attended to, result in death. Others, again, give them sour greens, or bad water, or allow the water to remain in the troughs until it gets loathsome and unfit for use. These, and similar causes of neglect, produce more than half the illnesses from which birds die. Therefore, remember the adage referred to at the beginning of this chapter. Indeed, I think it would not be a bad plan if fanciers would adopt it for a motto, and have it painted in large characters upon their bird-room doors.

FOOD.-Always supply your birds with plain, wholesome diet, but never pamper them with dainties, except in such cases as I have pointed out. Be particular always to procure the best canary seed, and genuine German summer rape seed, and give in the proportion of three parts of canary to one of rape; occasionally you may give a little linseed and a few groats, and from April to September a little fresh green food, either watercress, groundsel, or lettuce. Dandelion leaves may be given sometimes, but they ought to be well washed and immersed in water for a few hours previously. In winter time a little sweet apple, with the rind taken off, may be given them once a week. When in health, and not breeding, they

require no other food, except to prepare them for exhibition. Let them have as much fresh air as possible, and be sure to give them fresh water every day, or every alternate day. If there be any reason to doubt the purity of the water you give the birds to drink, it is a good plan to filter rain water for their use. Let the cages be roomy, and clean them out frequently. Use sea sand when procurable, as the salt which it contains is beneficial to them; if you cannot succeed in getting it, prepare your sand in the manner pointed out in the chapter on "Canary Breeding." By observing these recommendations you will seldom be troubled with diseased or ailing birds.

It is a mistaken kindness on the part of many well-meaning, warm-hearted fanciers, to pamper their birds with every conceivable luxury, and they little dream of the consequences which are sure to follow such a line of treatment. It will readily be seen that I am strongly opposed to feeding canaries on delicacies; so I am, and ere I proceed further I will illustrate my meaning by quoting the following facts: It is well known to a great many fanciers that people who keep canaries merely as singing birds, and who are totally unacquainted with many of the dainties that are frequently given to them, and who believe that all they require is canary and rape seed mixed, fresh water, and clean sand once a week after their cages are cleaned out, manage to keep their birds until they attain great ages. I have known one bird live to the age of twenty-three years, another to twenty-one years, and a third to eighteen years; but the most remarkable part of the story is that these birds were all living at the same time, and kept by three different families in the same village, and within a hundred yards of each other. This fact I will vouch for; and I found on enquiry that they were fed upon canary and rape seed, principally, commonly called black and white bird seed, occasionally a little apple, and during the summer months a little green food given sparingly, which latter consisted of either watercress, groundsel, or lettuce; each bird had a knob of loaf sugar constantly placed between the wires of his cage,

had fresh water given twice or thrice a week, regularly cleaned out once a week, and received a fresh supply of river sand at the same time. I bred a nest of birds early in the spring of 1859, between a Belgian Canary and a Lizard, and I presented one of their offspring to an intimate friend for a singingbird: it was living in 1875, and in excellent health. It was fed on simple food; in fact, very similar to that given to the three birds previously mentioned.

APOPLEXY.-There are several kinds of this fearful disease. There is the atrabilious, cataleptic, hydrocephalic, &c. They are, nevertheless, all of them of such a tendency as to lead to a fatal termination in the lives of birds, as it would be physically impossible to subject these minute objects to a process of treatment similar to that resorted to in human beings. Prevention is the best substitute for cure. The most fruitful source of this complaint in birds is luxurious living, and intemperance in diet. Male canaries which are permitted to revel in Mormonism to any extent are likewise prone to it. If you are present at any time when a canary drops from its perch in a fit, and lies struggling at the bottom of the cage in apparent agony, lift it gently out and carry it to an open window, bathe its head with cold water, and if there should happen to be any spirit of ammonia (harts. horn) at hand, or to be procured readily, dilute a little of this with cold water, and let the bird inhale the vapour. Should it revive, keep it cool and quiet for some time, and afterwards give it some laxative medicine. You might give it two drops of castor-oil to begin with, and about dr. of Epsom salts might be put in its drinking water. The diet of the patient should be of the simplest and plainest description, more especially if the bird is of a full habit of body. There is likewise a species of apoplexy which is produced by the effect of the sun's rays-this is called coup de soleil. I have known birds hung in a window where the sun has poured upon them during the hottest days in summer, but,