magnesia or Epsom salts placed in the drinking-water a few days before the birds are operated upon is also of much service. If by accident the wing is caused to bleed it should be bathed with warm water and dressed with a few drops of the compound tincture of myrrh, applied by a feather or a camelhair brush. It is advisable in the case of an inexperienced fancier or amateur to get an "old hand" to perform the operation, if one is procurable.

When the colour feeding is first begun, let the birds have a supply of canary seed in addition to the prepared food, and partly cover the cages with some thin material that will not altogether exclude the light. When the colour feed is freely consumed, remove the canary seed and substitute mustard seed, and gradually lower the cover until it reaches within two inches of the bottom of the wiring in front of the cage, but do not exclude any light except the direct rays of the sun, as light is necessary to health, but the direct rays of the sun affect the colour and make it much paler. (See Chapter on Moulting.)

When the birds have completed the process of the moult, the covers may be partly or entirely removed, provided there is not a strong or direct light upon them, and the ordinary seed diet may be substituted for the food used to produce colour. A varied diet will also be found of great benefit at this period.

A few groats, a little linseed, hemp, inga, or rape seed should be given sparingly once or twice a week. Great care must be taken to keep birds intended for exhibition scrupulously clean; they should be supplied with fresh sand and good grit at least once a week, and should have a bath twice a week, if the weather will permit and the temperature is above freezingpoint. Before a bird is sent off to a show it should be washed, if dirty, at least three days before it is despatched on its journey, and if the tail is not tight and firm, the bird should be caught and its tail immersed in pure water (warm is best), and dried with a clean cloth, taking care to compress the feathers firmly during the operation. If the feathers show a

little rough (the result of too quick drying), endeavour to induce the bird to take a bath; this can often be done by sprinkling a few drops of water over it from the tips of your fingers. Five or six days before a show feed your birds with stimulating food, such as egg and bread, with a little hemp seed, maw seed, and groats; and if you add a few drops of whisky or brandy to the drinking water on the day the birds are sent off it will prevent them taking cold, and will keep them in good spirits during the journey.

Crested birds require to be groomed every day for a

week before being sent off. Brush the crest carefully, and as gently as possible, with a perfectly soft tooth-brush, and if there are any troublesome or wayward feathers that do not lie so smoothly as they might, put a dram of spirits of wine into a small bottle, add to it twenty drops of almond oil and one ounce of rose-water, and moisten the brush with this before using it. Other things are used by some fanciers, such as a weak solution of gum arabic, &c.; but when birds require this they are not legitimate candidates for the show bench, as they require "faking," which is a dishonest practice.

In the case of Belgian canaries they must be trained to get into "position" (see Chapter on the Belgian canary). If "Scotch fancy," they must be taught to "travel" (vide Chapter on this variety). Lizards and London Fancy canaries require much care in handling, so that no feathers be knocked out. They should be trained to run from one cage to another by using a piece of stick, or placing the cages together with the doors open, until they get accustomed to go from one cage to the other of their own accord. In the case of Lizard canaries too much cayenne must not be given or the colours will run, and so disfigure them that they will not be eligible for the show bench.

Whenever birds are received from a show they should be placed in a warm room for a day or two, and fed liberally on the same diet that is recommended in preparing them for the show bench, and the addition of a few drops of spirit to their drinking-water, or half a teaspoonful of sherry wine, will be

found very beneficial, often preventing them going into the moult. If they appear to have caught cold on the journey add a little cayenne to the egg food, and instead of the spirit of wine add twenty to thirty drops of the spirit of nitre to the drinking-water.

CHAPTER XXVII.

CANARY SOCIETIES, AND CLOSE AND OPEN SHOWS. CANARY Societies have existed is this country for a great number of years, and there are few towns, I should imagine, throughout the length and breadth of England at least, if not of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, that cannot boast of an institution of this sort. Formerly the whole of these societies were of a purely conservative character, being restricted not only to the towns in which they were held, but, so far as the exhibitions held in connection with them were concerned, they were conserved to the sole use and benefit of the members forming the society. The main objects in promoting these institutions were undoubtedly to bring together in close and friendly intercourse the principal breeders and fanciers of canaries, and to diffuse among them a spirit of brotherhood and friendly feeling, as well as to infuse a spirit of emulation for the advancement of the canary cause.

These societies hold their meetings usually at an inn or tavern, and have an arrangement with the proprietor or landlord to have a room appropriated for their especial use; this is invariably conceded without demur.

The legitimate meetings, viz., those set apart for the transaction of the society's business, are held monthly, in the case of a "close show society," but the members thereof, which consist chiefly of the working classes, are generally drawn every Saturday evening to the inn where these meetings are held, and there discuss freely all topics pertaining to their favourite

pastime; and this is, in my opinion, the only drawback to these and other kindred societies, as they are calculated to lead men into habits of intemperance; but where an "open" or "all England" show society exists this evil can be obviated almost entirely. As it is my intention to give all the details connected with the different systems of managing each, it is not necessary for me to offer any further remarks here on this part of the subject. One thing may be said in favour of the "close show societies," and that is, they are both instructive and entertaining, for the members, after the business of the meeting has been duly transacted, enter into a general conversation, the chief topic, as a matter of course, being canaries and their kindred species, and some member is almost invariably ready to relate something which he conceives to be new, or appeals to some older and more experienced member of the society for his opinion on some particular method of breeding, feeding, or what not, and new theories are often propounded in this way, and freely discussed for the edification of all present, and juveniles in the "fancy" can often gather a great deal of information which they need by this means. But for the fact of their being held at taverns, these meetings are highly favourable to the progress and well-being of this delightful and innocent recreation. At the end of the year a show is held in connection with each "close show" society, restricted to subscribing members only, and at its termination a supper is mostly held, and this is got up in the "landlord's best style" of course, and a convivial evening is spent.

To begin a society of this kind it is necessary, in the first place, for one or two of the most intelligent or prominent members of the "Fancy" to wait upon all the known lovers and admirers of the canary, and to inform them of the project, and to request their attendance at such a place or inn as may be considered most suitable and likely to meet the approval of the majority at least of those people who, it is anticipated, will become members and office bearers. Be sure that the inn is one of good repute, and in a respectable neighbourhood. If the landlord is a fancier of birds, so much the better, as