The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-04-20
CANARIES.
How the 1OlOrs of these Birds Can he
changed.
IN. Y. Mercury. I

IN. Y. Mereury]
1t has been truly said that Germeny SUP.
plies the inhabitabe globe with canaries
One firm of Chatham street, naturalists and
dealers, are reported to have imported about
three quarters OF million canaries to this
city alone. Breeding canariess is a profitable
and systematic industry In the German fader-
land The great breeding establishments
bear some resemblance to an American hotel.
There are long series OF rooms, each prop.
eriy furnished with light, ventilation, guam
tity OF small trees, feeding boxes, water L
bathing and drinking, and on the sides Of the
room quantity of nests, while the floor is
covered with fine gravel to the depth OF three
or more inches. In this room are placed
twenty or more male birds" says Holden In
his recent book, sand three times their num-
Der OF females; and from this large feminine
family every male chooses his mate, and
reader, don't blush, for some Of them choose
even three and four mates, all of which will
hatch, their young gracefully, and live one
large happy family together AS soon as a
moult or shed his body feathers-his tail and
wing feathers he sheds the second season.
This moultlng process requires about six
weeks; after which they are taken away from
the sound OF all
SINGING CANARIEs
into room having small opening at the
top, and in the room above them is kept a
whistling bird who acts as instructor for the
young birds. 1t is from this instructor they
get these beautiful notes, the bow-trill, the
bell-note, the flute. the water-note etc, which
are so much admired, At the age OF six
months they become adopts in singing, and
then the expectation to all parts Of the world,
in the little wicker cages with which we are
all familiar commences.
In England canary breeding has never be-
come such generally diffused or systematic
a md ha <@fr<.tf
prevails the bird is bred more with view to
his plumage than hissong. AS rule our i'm
ported German birds are sadly deficient In the
former OF these respect. What is termed the
cinnamon canary is very rarely seen in our
bird stores; and, when in perfect plumage,
This highly -prized bird sells at prices varying
from re $40 to $40 each. 1t is in the midland
districts OF England where the deep red,
ofange-unted canary can be seen in his
matchless perfection of plumage. Derby,
N a M 1sl Coventry Norwich and Leices
ter are the great canary breeding towns in
Britain Canary shows take place in all Of
THESE manufacturing centres every spring.
and prizes of 50 and even 100 gum
ea asa are offered for single birds. James
A.klnS' oil OF stake near Coventry and
the Two most accom- piished adopts in the pro-
ductlon OF the bright cinnamon canary in the
midland counties. At the Nottingham show,
three years since, Mr.. Atkins exhibited a bird
ol sufn en-, nagnlhcence OF plumage that it re-
sembled glowing coal fire; and even the
Judges suspected that some coloring material
had been artistically applied The closest
however, failed to detect any
artlflclal sophistication. It was conceded on
all hands that the bird was entitled to the
prize and the honors of the
snow II his coloring were real. Hence it was
decided that, while the bird was kept under
strict surveillance until he moulted, certain
q ms brightest feathers should be forwarded
90 famous chemist In London for examina-
ton. Until the moulting and chemical tests
were reported on, the prize money was with