The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-06-30
Animated Bric-a-Brac.
HOW TO KEEP CANARIEs AND TURTLBs-H0w
THEY LIVE AND HOW THEY THRIVE.
l.lI L Il

THEY LIVE AND HOW THEY THRIVE.
From the Chicago Herald.l
While the canary is perhaps the most
popular domestic favorite. very few are
properly cared for. A Hartz-mountan
canary. which is the very best songster,
will retain his voice for ten or fifteen years
with the right kind OF care. In the first
place, the cage should I've OF steel or brass
wire, and kept perfectly clean. Painted
cages are bad for the reason that the paint is
apt to peel of, and may be eaten by the
bird. Papcring the bottom of the cage is
equally pernicicuS, and the perches and
swing should be cleaned oil every other
day. rs a protection against sore feet.
Hang the cage in a tempered sunlight, pro-
tectod from drafts. sprinkle the floor with
sand. Any kind will answer, and is con-
sidered more beneficial than cuttle-bone.
Many succeed well by having the sand
mixed in with the seed. Let the food con-
sist chiefly OF rape and canary, two thirds
OF the latter with one third Of rape. Sugar
is a bad thing, and il used at all should be
in very small quantities. Feed with bit
OF hard-bOied egg once week; not often
CT. as it is too iattening and will iniure the
song.
Birds. like featherlesS bipeds, require IN
occasional laxative, for which small piece
of ripe apple, one berry, an inch OF lettuce,
parsley or celery-eaf may be given twice
a week. When used more frequently, or
when the fruit is unripe or decayed, the
result is "A light form OF cholera and general
arrangement. In such a case the bird will
sing less than usual, and should be led on
seed alone. and should be kept in warm
place. 1t NAV be mentioned right here
that ico-cold water can never be given with
immunity. Never try TO diet the canary
in the mouting season, which usually oc-
ours from June t. September, and lasts
about two months. during which time the
singing is very indifferent. The other ten
months will find the bird in good voice,
unless allowed to catch cold, or. rs before
mentioned. his food diSagrees with him.
Canarie> cost from 81 to 81. The best
singers come from Germany, though fine
warblerS are found in every variety. The
females are seldom possessed Of good voice.
There is no way OF telling a fine singer
from appearances the only test Is to buy
on probation and "give the bird
chance"
The best fish for an aquarium are gold,
silver, pearl. sun, bull-heads, aud minnOws,
with a turtle. 4 couple OF tadpOles, and Il
snail for variety. Buy the smallest FISH
ALWAYS, il economy Is any consideration.
In summer the water should be changed
every other day, but once week Is SUM-
cient i'm winter. Never remove more than
three fourths Of the water, and then dis
charge with siphOn, draining the bottom
water. Globe fish are like hOt-house
plants. and require delicate handling,
which precludes a plunge bath into water
five or ten degrees lower temperature.
When it is necessary to clean out the
basin remove the fish in a bowl Of the same
water. and when restored pour them back,
water and all, and I'll. up the aquarium
gradually. in order that the fish may be-
come accustomed to the temperature. Fish
pod should be given in small quantities,
and not oftener than once week.
Never throw bread in the bowl, as the
chemicals spoil the water. 1t is well to
keep piece Of water-weed, moss, wander
inc lew. or any aquatic plant in the water.
The growth win be slight, but the animal
cule generated will be consumed by the
fish. Feed your turtle and bullheads with
flies and small worms occasionally, and
two or three times a week attach small
piece of raw beef 10 Il string ana throw II
into the water. This should be removed
in an hour, and the water slightly agl-
tated.
If there Is no projecting rock or castle
i'm the aquarium, float small piece OF CORK
for the use of the turtle. II minnows are
used the water will have to be changed
every dav. They may be caught at any OF
the city parks by the donzen; they are
lively little fellows, very tame, and would
be most desirable were 1t not for the dlill-
cnlty Of keeping them. Gold, silver, pearl
and sunfsh do not live over three years.