Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1871 — How to Keep Canary Birds. [ARTICLE]

How to Keep Canary Birds.

Many persons have difficulty in keeping their canary birds in good health. One who is experienced iu their care, says: Place the cage so that no draft of air can strike the bird; give nothing to healthy birds but canary and rape seed, mixed with water, cuttle fish bone, and gravel on the floor of the cage; also, occasionally, a little water for bathing; the room should not be overheated; when molting (shedding feathers) avoid drafts of air; give plenty of rape seed slightly moistened; a little hard-boiled egg, and cracker grated fine is excellent; by observing these simple directions, birds may be kept in fine condition for years. Bad seed kills most of the birds that die; to which it might have been added, that canary birds arc not only fond of, but benefited by having often a leaf of cabbage, piece of apple, or other green food, whiqh serves to keep down the tendency to fever, and prevents constipation. Our birds usually bathe each day as regularly as any one washes the face, and with apparent benefit, too. When birds are sick, and inclined not to eat well, remove all the food for a day, and then only give soaked bread, from which most of the moisture has been squeezed.— Exchange. '