The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1896-11-19
THE CANARY TRADE.


The fall is the best season in the
canary bird trade. Yes, in canary
birds there is trade with seasons,
and tricks, too, just as much as there
is in pig iron. The tricks come
through the determinations against
the weaker sex the new woman SO
much resents Female canary birds
are drug in the market; you can
buy one anywhere for so cents, where
as the New York price for a guar
anteed singer is So, sometimes, in the
case of very fine musician, IS. You
can get male bird not guaranteed
for $3.50. Until the females are
sufficiently imbued with the spirit of
the age to sing like their fathers and
husbands, they are likely to be more
appreciated by the bird fakir than by
the public.
They help the fakir to get dis.
honest living. He puts eight or ten in
cage and with them one or two
singers, and then he plants himself
and his cage at some corner, probably
on street leading to a ferry, and
awaits results. When one of his
singers breaks into song he is pretty
sure to be questioned as to his prices.
ANY birred in that cage for so
cents" is his response.
Someone astutely points ont the
bird that sang, and says he will take
that one. Will he?
The fakir reaches in and adroitly
catches one. He says it is the bird
wanted, but he alone, you may be
sure, is able to tell one bird from an
other after the futtering his pursuit
has produced. 1t is not likely
when the purchaser gets the bird
home that he will ever hear from it
anything more than plaintive chirps.
Still, as form of gambling, this way
of buying bird has attractions, be-
cause sometimes q fine singer is OBJ
tanned.
No matter how you buy bird, you
must not be disheartened if it does not
sing for a week or two. A change OF
surroundings is very disturbing for
many birds. To make friends with
the little golden atom is real help
toward getting his music; when he
becomes happy and feels secure he
will be apt to feel like singing. The
common necessities of bird life, q
clean, sunny cage, fresh water and
seed and cuttlebone, You will, of
course, provide him but some further
attentions will add much to his happi-
ness. The best bird fanciers do not
approve the plan of feeding canary
on seed alone he should not have his
cage fitted with luxuries and varied
yiands, but leaf of lettuce or bit
of apple are particularly good for
him, and once in a while a piece OF
hard boiled egg will make him feel
that life is a gormandizing glorious
spree.
If YOU want to tame him there is
one simple yet cunning trick that is
worth any other instruction that can
be impaired. 1t is this; Make believe
YOU are afraid of him. You think he
won't understand? You altogether un-
derrate his powers of comprehension; !;
if you have any tact in acting; If you
play the buffoon well enough, you
will find how to put your finger out to
him and then draw it back in alarm !;
how to approach his cage and then fall
back in terror; if you talk your era
ven sentiments aloud and implore his
mercy, you will help your own ex-
preston. aud though he may not I'M
derstand your English, betsure he will
your tones; and then, and this is very
odd and funny, he will begin to play
the bully; will spread his wings and
jump at you; but ii You are meek and
offer lump of sugar, say, in proper
spirit, he will grow merciful, and after
that all is easy.
An Explanation.
49,, Whit is tho silvar ouacfio n n