Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1878-05-29
NEW SERIES--VOL. 10, NO. 81

less in the bottom of the cage, and the
mistress returned TO find her bird dead
killed by the rays of the blazing sun.
All strong, disagreeable odors are bad
for the bird. There are different opin.
ions regarding the effect Of tobacco
smoke. Some canaries seem to enjoy
il as much as the master Of the house,
singing even sweeter for inhaling the
order, while others have shown de.
cided antipathy to it, and have even
been thrown into fits from the smell.
A very small cage is another way in
which people sometimes punish these
pets. They imagine, because the bird
is small, that the cagc must be in pro.
portion. This is an error. They re.
quire room to fly around and stretch
their wings, something impossible in a
very small cage. Let anyone remove
a canary from a small cage and place
it in larger, and see how 1t shows its
enjoyment OF space by hopping from
perch 10 perch and flying around.
Cleanliness is Of prime importance
in the care OF canaries. They should
have clean sand and fresh seed and
water given to them daily. At least
once month the bird should be re.
moved into another cage and the cage
in which it lives scalded. Especially
should this be done in the case of
mites, a plan we have found more ef-
fectual in ridding the cage of these
pests than any other. All this may
seem too much trouble, but we ought
not to undertake the care Of birds un-
less we are willing to perform the task
thoroughly. If, when we clean out
the cage, we place piece Of brown
paper in the bottom, to be removed
each day, and another piece put in, it
will save much trouble, and greatly
facilitate the cleaning of the cage. In
scalding the cage il should be remem-
bered to scald the perches also. A
piece Of Canton flannel, with the nap
side put down, hung over the cage at
night, is also help in exterminating
these pests, which prey upon the very
life OF the bird. In removing the fan.
mel in the morning, the little black
specs adheriDg are the mites, and
should be carfully picked out. An
other way Of exterminating them is to
scatter sulphur in the cage but, after
oil, good, thorough scalding Is the
very best remedy.
The canary, while it should not eat
anything and everything, requires
some variety in its food. The seeds
should be mixed-canary, hemp and
rape care should be taken not to give
them too much hemp seed, of which
they are very fond, as it is heating
and makes them too fat. The seeds
should always be clean and dry and,
as we said, fresh every day. Occasion
ally, but not very often, sponge-cake
can be given, and biscuit, and some
times n piece OF bread. Our expert
ence, OF many years, proves, however,
that this kind OF food is not very ben
efcial while apple and chickweed and
lettuce, of which they are very fond,
proves most hcalthful.
1t is natural that when the evening
shades appear all birds should retire TO
rest, and would, if permitted to do so.
Birds, like people, cant sleep, unless
very sleepy, with strong gas-light il.
Eliminating the room, and glaring in
their eyes. Of course, the light is ex-
citing and they jump from perch to
perch, and even sing and seem quite
happy. If thcy were not exposed to
the light, and their cage had a cover.
ing to SHIELD them from the glare, they
would soon be asleep, which they
ought to do.
Properly cared Tor, these little favor
ties will live many years in health and
song, and the pleasure they give will
amply repay the trouble and time ex.
pended in caring for them.-M. L.
Harper, IN Semple's Pittsburgh Ladies
Journal