Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-11-30
MAINE TUESDAY, GNovEnBE oaa
NO. 2s2.
miscellaneous.
HOW CANARIES ARE COLORED.

According to the London Times, no bird
has so much attention paid to il rs tho ca
nary. 1t came originally from the island
that has given il its name; now the chief
importations are said to be from st. Helena
though we should have supposed that lit
tie business was done in that way, since
the birds are SO prolific when domesticat-
ed. Mr.. Blackstone tells us that their
first introduction into Europe is believed
to have been early in the sixteenth centu-
ry. when ship containing consignment
of them was cast away from Elba.
The prisoners escaped. to be gradually
recaptured; aud then canaries became AN
article Of trade from Italy 10 Germany.
where from the first. they were taken into
general favor. In England, Norwich has
always held its place rs the headquarters
OF canary fancying. and the birds are sup
posed to have been brought there by the
Flemings. who fled from the prosecutions
of Alva. To this day the Norwich canary
stands pre-eminent among those whose
speciality is color. Others of the colored
class are the Lizard-so named from
somewhat tar-fetched resemblance in its
variegated tints TO the glistening stripes
on the back of the reptile. and the Lon
don Fancy" which is comparatively rare
and not much sought after
But nothing is more curious in the his
tory of canary-breeding than the remark
able processes OF artificial coloring. which
are among the discoveries of very recent
times. Canaries were brought up for ex-
hibtion showing quantity fanciiul varia-
tions which were supposed to be mere
accidents and it was understood that the
way to perpetrate or improve upon any
particular hues was to be careful in select
ing suitable parents. Even then, and un-
der the most favorable conditions. il was
obvious that the colors of the offspring
must be very much matter of chance. 1t
occurred, however, to certain intelligent
lanciers that color might be influenced by
notifications in the diet. Many prescrip-
tions were tried with that object-among
others, marigold ilowers, strong solution
of saffron, cochineal. port wine. beet root.
mustard seed, etc, but with very imper-
feet results. When. suddenly, exhibitors
came into the field with success that
startled envious rivals. Suspicious were
aroused and accusations freely INDUCED
in.
II was said that the colors were the re-
suit OF skillful dycing, though the very
audacity of any such attempt should have
raised presumption for the innocence OF
the exhibitor. To satisfy the objectors so
far AS possible, the birds were subjected
to very severe or'ieals. being half stripped
in the process of testing their feathers.
But experienced judges like Mr. Black
stone were satisfied, and their awards in
favor of these phenomena. Finally one
of the breeders of rich red birds. who had
undertaken to multiply them almost to Or
der and successfully, proclaimed his se-
cret TO the world 1t consisted simply in
feeding on Cayenne. Some birds will
color readily, others apparently will
hardly color at all. and by supplying
food from which color can be secreted we
ascertain which birds have and have not
the capacity Of dong that, the manifesto
! tions of which constitutes their distinctive
quality in lanciers eye.''