The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-23
THE BIRD-SELLING BUSINESS.
How the Demand for Feathered Songsters is
Supplied Parrot That Was Spy.

An archaeological mania appears to be prevail
ing in this city. 1t has been here before-in-
Coed, il recurs each summer-but it has never
ragged with its present vigor. Bird-dealers from
distant points are here to supply the demand for
feathers, and the needy can be furnished with
anything pathological. from canary to a cas-
sowary, on short notice.
what birds are these9" inquired journal
reporter of dealer on Illinois street, pointing
to some dismallooking little specimens about as
large as canaries with blue heads, red breasts,
yellow backs, brown and green wings. "They
don't look very we'll now" said the dealer; ''they
are moulting. You can see that when in good
feather they will be beautiful birds. They are
called Mexican canaries. Their song is like that
OF the canary-linnet, but somewhat softer and
sweeter."
Other cages were filled with young mocking-
birds-the menus polyglottus--trim and grace
full. restlessy hopping from perch to perch in
their cramped cages
"We bring au-our birds from New Orleans.
This time we brought over FIVE hundred young
hooking birds. The cry that the supply will
give odt has no foundation. At one time young
Knockers readily brought So Now we sell them
at $3.50 for male birds guaranteed to sing.
Many of these are wild birds carried away with
the nests before their eyes were open; others
are raised by persons who make business OF 1T.
The bird trade is growing We come up to the
North every winter from New Orleans, stopping
at a number of the larger cities. We have sew
eral branch stores in the North, and we sell
many thousands of birds every year"
Other cages held what the bird man called
Australian cockatooS, some being white, others
rose-coiored. The white crested cockatoo has
lemon colored crest, which he erects when an
CRY, and as he is of an unamiable temper, his
cranial covering is erect the greater part of the
time. The rose-colored cockatoo has dove
coiored back and wings and a rose-tinted neck
and breast He blinks YEARLY at his admirers.
as il thoroughly tired of modern civilization and
seems pining for return to the land of the kan
CARGO, and wombat ornithorhyncus.
''They don't take to conversation" said the
dealer, Except occasionally to say few works,
but they are great whistlers and readily learn
tunes
s'Those," he said. in answer to the reporters
inquiry, ''are Mexican doubley ellow-head par
rots. Why doubleyellow head? Because they
have large heads, much larger than ordinary par
rots, and when they get older-they are only four
months old now-the yellow on their heads will
extend over their necks down to their shoulders,
making a good cape to top off their rich green
| robes Those sell at $18, Our greater demand
is for cheaper parrots. Smaller birds sell at ST.
more or less, owing to talking qualities, Though
the birds are all young we can tell as to convers
atlonal indications.
What are these birds these street-corner
fakirs have to pick out the little envelopes that
tell your fortuneP'
sThey call them love birds Sometimes they
are canaries. somes paroquets, sometimes com
mon yellow birds. / have seen English sparrows
employed. They are trained to pick out the
envelopes by putting a speck Of sugar on them
That's the whole trick"
North New Jersey street is probably better
supplied with parrots-parrots, too. that are
wonderful liaguists-than any thoroughfare in
the city. They are four of these "Pollies." but
why Pollies, when they are all of the male sex
is one of those things no fellow can find out
The origin of the tradition that Polly Is in con-
slant need of cracker, is enveloped in the mists
of the middle ages. and will probably never be
made clear
A family that has been afflicted with parrot
a wonderfully knowing bird for several months,
has had great trouble to retain servant girl It
was rare that girl would stay week aud the
family was constantly advertising for culinary
help. After long procession of girls
had come and gone, the last of the
number. as she was about to leave, divulged the
cause of the exodus The bird swung on a back
porch in fair weather. overlooking the kitchen,
and in cold and wet weather was domiciled in the
kitchen. The bird had learned to excaim.
Look out there!' every time the girls broke any
crockery or any unusual crash came in tho
kitchen, thus informing the mistress of the maids
misfortunes with the delft Hes a divil," said
the last Bridget, "a divil, spy and an informer
an Ill not stay in the same house wild him an
other minute"