The Osceola times., 1880-11-20
Curious CanarIes.

y According to the London Truth no bird
- 20 much attention paid to it as the
1onaRy. 1t came originally from the
1ands that have given it its name; now
~ chief importations are said to be
Hom 81. Helena, though we should have
xuppoeed that little business was done in
1h1t way, since the birds are 80 prolific
when domesticated. MIR. Blackstone tells
< n that their first introduction into Eu-
rope is believed TO have been in the
sixteenth century, when ship con-
tanning consignment OF them was cast
sway upon Elba.
The prisoners escaped, to be gradually
recaptured; and then canafies became an
article of trade from Italy to Germany,
where, from the first, they were taken
into general favor. In England, Nor
wich has always held its place as the
headquarters of canary-fancying, and the
birds are supposed to have been brought
thsre by the expatriated Flemings, who
sfa from the prosecutions of Alva. To
Ills day the Norwich canary still stands
fse0ninent among those whose special
N In color, Others of the colored cless
uhat far-fetched resemblance in its
variegated tints to the glistened stripes
on the back of the reptile-and the
"London Fancy" which is comparative
ly rare and not much sought after.
But nothing is more curious in the
history of canary-breeding than the re-
markable processes of artificial coloring
which are among the discoveries of very
recent times. Canaries were brought
up for exhibition showing quantity fan
ciful variations which were supposed al
first to be mere accidents in the breed
ing; and IL was understood that the way
to perpetuate or improve upon any par
ticular hues was to be careful in select
ing suitable parents. Even then, anC
under the most favorable conditions, il
was obvious that the colors of the Oh;
spring must be very much matter o
chance. 1t occurred, however, to GER
tain intelligent fanciers that color may
be influenced by notifications in the
diet. Many prescriptions were triet
with that objeet-among others, mari
gold flowers, strong solution of saffron
cochineal, port wine, beet root, mustard
seed, ETC., but with very imperfect re
suits; when suddenly exhibitors cam,
into the field with success that startled
enyious rivals. Suspicious were aroused
and accusations freely INDUCED in.
II was said that the colors were the re
suit Of skillful dyeing. though the yer,
audacity of such an attempt should hav,
raised d presumption for the innocenc,
of the exhibitor. To satisfy the object
ors as far as possible the birds were sub
jected 10 severe ordeals, being half strip
ped in the process OF testing their feath
ers. But experienced judges like Mr.
Blackstone were satisfied, and gave theil
awards In favor of these phenomena
Finally one of the breeders of rich rec
birds, who had undertaken to multiply
them almost to order and successfully
proclaimed his secret to the world. i
i oonsisted simply in feeding on cayenne
{ Ecue birds viii color readily, others
Gp6arently, will hardly color at all, anc
supplying food from which color car
~ ee6reted, we ascertain what birds
4 lYo ond have not the capacity Of doing
the manifestations of which con
T - tasir distinctive quality in Q