The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-11-04
THE INDIANA STATE SENTINEL THURSDAY NOVEMBER 1875

dsrkies have story to the effect that they
fight in pairs, one lettering the victim with
his coils, while The other lashes
him with his tail. But this story,
along with its tail in its mouth. he
could not believe to have any foundation
Whatever. Indeed, he did not believe In he
existence OF the hoop-snake, having hunted
snakes east, north, south, and as Tar west as
Arizona without being able to ind such
reptile a. hoop snake, or even 20 OBTAIN
credible testimony as TO its habit OF rolling
along like wheel. Besides reptiles. men
in his business dealt largely In animals
princi ally monkeys, squirrels, prairie dogs
and wild cats.
PRETTY PUSSY.
OF the latter creature he had a msgnifed
specimen on exhibition of the tiger variety,
which had already found purchaser. De
generally ted 1t with live pigeons, which he
found cheaper than feeding 1t on meat.
pigeon seemed, however, to sffoId 1t but
small meal. We saw one, a pretty little
thing, placed In its cage, and observed the
cruel pleasure taken by the cat In rolling
the terrified bird from one paw to the
other. Finally, wearied OF play, it fin
ished the tragedy by biting out the
whole breast OF the victim at q Inouthful,
and devouring the whole, except the en-
trails, which il pushed carefully to one side
Then IL growled over the meal In deep
bass, which caused every plank In the
flooring to vibrate like a well tapped drum
head; it a perfect miniature OF tiger
roar. Being curious to learn some further
details of the business, we obtained from
the young man list of the prices at which
large dealers in reptiles, birds, ETC.. usually
sell. OF course this market rises and falls
like other markets, and we only took note
Al az-L 10
The Simian tribe Is divided by these dealers
briefly into monkeys, apes and balloons,
the division being made according to size
rather than to natural history. Varieties Of
monkeys, usually from Brazil, range In
prices from SIS to $50 per monkey; pairs
coming much higher. Apes are worth from
$50 to 800 the pair; single ape fetching
from S35 to $50. Bsbsops will fetch $75 TO
500 a piece. As to the market value OF
gorilla= he confessed innoceDce; indeed, IL
Is doubtful II the value OF such monsters
has yet been e xed even by European deal
ers Common wildcats are valued at $l5 TO
SIS, tiger cats S35 to $50. The specimen we
saw strongly resembled a young panther.
There are probably not less than
three thousand varieties Of birds
known to bird dealers, whereof talking
and singing birds are most largely dealt in.
or parro Is. the Amazon yellow head, or
double yellow head" IS the highest priced.
selling sometimes at sS5, and even higher
The African gray parrot, bird rarely im-
ported, by reason of its delicate
constitution, and the red Mexican
parrot, will both fetch from $l5
to S25. The Cuba whitehead and Next
can red and yellow parrot may be bought
at from 81 to $40, while the small variety Of
red Mexican can not be obtained under $40
OF SIS. Or South Amer can parrots, bright
green bird, and bird all green save gel
low ruf1le on its neck. fetch from
SIS to $40, according 10 their talking
mowers: while two other varieties-one
with yellow head and green wings and
another with yellow head and blue wing
will sell at $25. COckatoos are poor takers,
but sell at high figures by reason of their |
beauty. One variety, all white save q flesh
cOlOred crest, fe' ches from $50 70 S75; another
white with yellow crest, $50 TO $40; another
with ashen gray wings and, |
purple crest, s35. Mscaws also sell high. |
Brazilian mscaws, red and yellow, with blue |
wings and tail yard in length, will fetch |
$50. A Mexican variety, green, red and blue,
sometimes sells at $50. Magpies and jay |
birds sell at about the same rates ss par
rots, white msgpies selling as high as $40 |
African waxbills and chestnut finches are
worth about So pair; orioles about the same. |
The value of psroquets depends upon the |
of their plumage; they sell from |
s. as high as $40. A mockiug-bird may be |
bought for IS, but some will fetch $50. II
deed, the price of most singing birds and |
talking birds varies so much, according to |
capacity al beauty, that no definite rate OF
value can be laid down r them. German
canaries are worth from 81 to $40. The
prices OF fancy pigeons are pretty well
known, rang ing from 81 pair to SIS and $50
'or rare English breeds. Humminc-biro
skins sell at fifty cents skin and ere
aIgely dealt in. The tiny things can not be
pred or tanned, and are usually killed With
Iir gus