remarkable degree. What joy Wordsworth must have

felt when he wrote

"The birds around me hopped and played,
Their thoughts I cannot measure;

But the least motion which they made

It seemed a thrill of pleasure."

That there is much delight to be derived from the study of cage-birds, which of late years has become more of a science, especially so far as the treatment and moulting of them are concerned, there is evident reason for believing. To gain a thorough knowledge of birdkeeping, breeding, and general treatment, practical observation and love for the birds are requisite.

Twenty-five years' attention and devotion to the bird cause no short period in one's lifetime-have furnished me with varied experience respecting the Canary and other song-birds. Of late years much more attention has been paid to this portion of the bird creation, judging from the vast number of exhibitors who have patronised the numerous exhibitions held in various parts of the country. The increased and still growing interest taken in the charming songsters that grace our homes, has led to the desire for still greater reform and improvement in the mode of judging their merits. Bird fanciers, especially, have felt the desirability of forming associations for the purpose of watching over all matters tending to advance the Canary cause in particular, by establishing rules, and also proper classes in

which the birds could be entered for show, by the adoption of standard points for the respective breeds to be judged, and the appointing of authorised and acknowledged men of experience to adjudicate thereon. The bird cause thus far has not received the attention it deserves. Having for the past twelve years been called upon to officiate as a judge of birds at many of the most important shows, and having some few years back also published a pamphlet containing, besides other information, the "Points of Excellence of different breeds of the Canary and Mules," I venture to hope the issuing of the present treatise, relating to the treatment, breeding, general management, moulting, the points of excellence, and other valuable information suitable to Canary fanciers, will assist and guide them in their endeavours to further advance the cause I have at heart.

A PLEA FOR THE BIRDS.

THE merciless slaughter of birds which takes place annually, caused in a great measure through poisoned grain and the freaks of "hedgepoppers," demands some attention. I will just advert to the obligations we are under to our winged inhabitants in helping us to rid our trees, gardens, and crops, of insects and weeds; for many birds have special fancies for them. The Goldfinch has a liking for the thistle; other birds devour the seeds of plantain, groundsel, chickweed, and shepherd'spurse, with avidity. The Linnet has a great taste for charlock or skelly, which, in the north especially, grows thickly. Some idea of the benefits they confer on the husbandman may be gained from the follow.

ing remarks:- "We recollect, one December, observing two large flocks of Grey Linnets, of above 200 each, frequenting for several days some turnip-fields, which were very full of charlock run to seed, and the ripe pods of which were just bursting to cast forth their grain. The Linnets were indefatigably engaged in picking up the seeds of this troublesome weed; if each bird devoured only 100 seeds daily, then their united force destroyed each day 40,000 charlock seeds.”

The myriads of insects devoured by birds is really astounding. A writer in the Journal of Agriculture, remarks that:-"The HedgeSparrow is a noted foe to insects, and marvellously clears orchards and thickets of caterpillars, rids plants of the aphides which suck their sap; and, during winter, eats millions of their eggs. The German naturalist Glöger estimates that it must destroy 200,000 in a year. And M. Girardeau, by direct experiment, has proved that in twenty-one days, the period required by the Hedge-Sparrows to rear their young, a brood of these birds consumed 45,000 caterpillars; and this bird, fortunately for agriculture, breeds thrice a-year."

The pleasure and benefit derived from birds in other respects ought to convince us that by sparing their lives we are providing for our own enjoyment.

GEO. J. BARNESBY.