, 1857-07-24
CannrY RirHS.

II our contemporary of the Boston ErcH-
ing CaclHe can say with Truth that so
completely has the calTry established him
sell among us as a household bird, that We
now naturally consider no home to be CON.
pleie where he is not y we of the Crescent
City may, with. at least equal cmphaSi7,
assert that fact as peculiar to ourselves
New Orleans is the very ayary Of Cana
riea. Everybody has one or more, and
they are as cheap and plenty, in compafi-
son with what Boston can boast, as aTc
our flowers in the same ratio.
The great popularity Of the Canary,
(truly says the Ga,ctteJ, is owing to va
riety Of circumstances. The Canary is
naturally fond of mans society, and spec
Qily becomes on terms Of intimacy with any
one who will extend to him the right hand
Of fellowship. There is no exclusivenesS
about hiln--no MaEr3ise bOaie. He will
sing any where and every where, is seldom
Sulky or ill-tempercd, and can at all times
be won by the presentation Of hemp
seed or morscl of ripe chickweed. If
properly tended, he is seldom, if ever sickly,
and he is of all birds the least troublesome.
Aud the writer in the Gazette goes on to
say
" l have had Canaries in rude health for
more than fourteen years and l can make
mention of one who was, for his age, hearty
in his twentieth year. That year was his
last. He died singing his parting strain
in the ear of his dear mistress. l hardly
need say that for birds to be thus long
lived, they must be well treated-their ex-
stence rendered happy
at would be aTectation we're to con-
slider little friendly advice on the man
agement of the Canary out Of place in
these pages. So many hundreds might
say thousands-of the race die from neg.
lect and Ignorance every year, that it be-
comes pleasing duty to plead their cause.
Dumb animals stand in need Of an advo-
cate for they cannot make known their
own grievances A few hints, therefore,
may render them good service.
g The first thing to be considered is, the
case Of those who at present are unprovi-
ded with a Canary We have now arrived
at the precise season when large assign
ments OF these golden little songsters are
sent up from Norfolk and Yorkshire to re-
ioice the hearts Of us dwellers in cities
Christmas and the new year ushers them in
by twentes of thousands. A pretty sight
it is, to watch their sprightly movements (;
and as good as play to listen to their
joyous aud irrepressble notes of ecstacy.
Their looks of inquiry, how ridiculously
comic ! Their imagined Importance, how
overwhelmingly absurd One would re-
ally think that they intuitively knew all
about the jolities OF the season, and were
determined to join in. Why not
" 1t might, perhaps, appear inyidious to
mention any dealer by name l will there
fore only give general directions for the
selection of a good bird, leaving it to the
readers own discretion where to procure
it. All healthy birds at this season are
sprightly and vigorous, and full Of song
that there is no fear Of any mistake as to
the sexes. The male birds, when singing,
are in u state Of motion, dancing along
their perches. The females simply 'jab-
ber,' and show no particular signs of liVeli-
ness. If you want a good songster, you
will sometimes have to dispense with beau
ty. The brightest colors are frequently
the most delicate Never choose bird
whose feathers are rough, or eyes dim. If
the bird be trim and joyous, be may be re-
garded as in good health. Be especially
careful where and with whom you deal /;
and always see that you have the bird you
select. Borrow the cage, leave deposit,
and never let the dealer touch the bird
you have purchased.
While making your selection, take
plenty of time for decision. Exercise your
taste, aud you may become possessed of q
really musical bird. There is, of course
great difference in the powers Of the va
rious performers, Some are shrill and
noisy others sing piano, and rejoice in
duIcet notes of harmony
"Your bird selected, and placed in a
nice, handsome cage, enrol him immediate
ly as one of the family, and ever after con-
sider him as such. He will then be yours
forever
Hang your bird low and in cheerful
situation, always protecting him from heat,
cold and draught. Ifyou have more birds
than one, suspend them above each other
They may hear, but should not be permit.
ted TO see each other. Maintain the strict.
est cleanliness in their cages, and always
supply them with the best of seed-candry
fax and rape, mixed the first in excess
Give them clean water twice daily, and lei
their perches be cleansed at least once q
week. Provide them, too, with plenty o.
coarse red gravel, changed every other day
and let some well bruised old mortar be
mixed with it,
Now for luxuries' These consist o.
hard boiled yolk of fresh egg, morsel o.
sweet cake or mealy potato, and crumb o.
bread moistened in the mouth with brown
sugar. Let them see you prepare this, and
then watch their movements. Add an oc
casoaal hempseed. Lettuce, shepherds
purse, groandsel, plantain, chickwecd and
water-cress-these are the salads in whicl
they delight.
Always present some one or all of the
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