The bee., 1884-01-12
The Canary Bird.

To no bird has so much attention been
paid as to the canary. 1t came originally
from the islands that have given it its
name; now the chief importatiOns are said
to be from st. Helena, though we should
have supposed that little business was
done In that way, since the birds are so
prolific when domesticated. Mr.. Black
stOn tells US that their first introduction
into Europe is believed to have been early
IN the sixteenth century, when ship con-
tanning consignment of them was cast
away upon Elba. The prisoners escaped,
to be gradually recaptured; and then ca
naries became an article of trade from
Italy to Germany, where, from the first,
they We're taken into general favor. In
England, Norwich has always held its
place as the headquarters of canary-fancy-
ing, and the birds are supposed to have
been brought there by the expatriated
Flemings who fed from the prosecutions
of Alva. To this day the Norwich canary
still stands pre-eminent among the birds
whose speciality is color. Others of the
color class are the Lizard-so named from
the somewhat tar-fetched resemblance in
its yariegated 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 history of canary
breeding than the remarkable processes of
artificial colOring, which are among The
great discoveries Of very recent times.
Canaries were brought up for exhibition
which showed Guiintly fanciful variations
in their plumage. Those variations were,
supposed at first to be mere incidents in
the breeding; and it was understood that
the way to perpetuate or improve upon
any particular hues was to be careful in Sc
lecting suitable parents. Even then, and
under the most favorable conditions, it was
obvious that the colors of the offspring
must be very much matter of chance.
DIETING TO MODIFY CoLo2.
It occurred, however, to certain intelli-
gent fanciers that 1lor might beinfuenceI
by notifications in the diet. Many pre-
scriptions We're tried with that object
among ethers, marigold flowers, strong
'olution of saffron, cochineal, port wine,
)eet-root, mustard seed etc.-but with very
imperfect results; when suddenly exhibi-
tors came into the field with success that
startled envious rivals. Suspicious were
aroused and accusations freely indulged in.
It was said that the colors were the result
of unskillful dyeing, though the very au-
dacity of any such attempt should have
raised strong presumption for the inno-
cence of the exhibitor. To satisfy the OBJ
,jectors so far as possible, the unfortunate
birds were subjected to severe ordeals, be-
ing half stripped in the process of testing
their feathers. But experienced judges like
Clakston were satisfied, and gave their
wards in favor of these phenomenas. FL
lally, one of these breeders of rich rcd
ii s, who had undertaken to multiply
th65n almost to order and successfully, pro-
claimed his secret TO the world. 1t con-
jisS5d simply in feeding on cayenne. Some
birds will color readily; others, apparently,
will hardly color at all, and "by supplying
iJod from which color can be secreted, we
ascertain what birds have and what have
not the capacity of doing that, the mani
festation of which constitutes their dis
motive quality in fal-eier's eye"
PECULIARITI-s IN FORM.
But while some canari 3 develop varie-
les of color, others To to beauties or &C.
entricities of c1rm. The Belgian canary
= very remarkable in that respect, though
Uc should say that the fancy for him must
- an acquired taste. The slightest round
i shoulders form eliminating platform
On the figure, whence you might drop 3
plummet almost in straight line to the
tip of the long dropping feathers at the
tail; while the head and neck are bowed
at an acute angle with the breast till the
bill is pointed inwards towards the claw
IN the perch. The fact rs that the bird has
really a conformation which permits him
to assume the particular position" which
is regarded as his supreme excellence,
though when in position he appears mis-
shapen to the uninitiated. But some birds
seenl to inherit the eecentrieity of shape
without being capable of graceful attitud-
inizing, while even those who are born to
tLe poetry of flexion must be placed at
their ease, or encouraged before they show
of to the best advantage,
Life teens with unnecessary pain. For
every soul there is work TO do, an effort to
make, so now to alleviated. No day In the
short time allotted to use here, should pass
without some attempt, however feeble to
lessen the load of suffering pressing so un-
equally Oh the lives of those around rs.
All can ID some little, and if each soul
that has suffered would take share In re-
moving or lessening the burden of another,
life would be other than it is. An old
writer beautifully says: "An can give a
smile" How few value a smile as they
should, yet who does not know the bright
less which some faces bring when they
appear?