The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-12-30
the cAvy, A NEW HOUSEHOLD fET.

TWO years ago, the cavy, as a house.
hold pet, was practically unknown in
America, although In England the little
creature was popular among lovers OF
pets. In 1897 an Illinois woman import.
ed some specimens and began breeding
them. Since then large numbers have
been sold in the United States.
The cavy is really an evolution from
the guinea pig. 1t is a native of South
America, where 1t was "A great favorite
with the natives. who called it couy. and
from this comes the angIiclzed cavy.
Several years ago an English fanciei
brought the first specimens into Eng.
land, and by clever breeding has sue
ceeded I'm producing some very remark
able varieties. There are four distinct.
recognized species OF cavies-the Eng.
lish, Peruvian. Abyssinian and Angorn
The English or short haired variety is
the most common. and is indeed the
original stock from which the others
were derived.
The long silken-haired Peruvians are
the especial pets OF women and children
and quite deservedly So as they are
really OF remarkable beauty. Their long.
fine. glossy hair falls in a natural bang
into thick name on each side Of the
head, and trailing upon the ground in
The rear. making them seem like so
many animated S.lken balls OF varying
colors. They are found in black, white.
French red. tortoise shell. English solid
black and English solid red; the pure
white with delicate pink eyes and pink
claws being perhaps the most attrac-
tive. Their hair Is generally from four
TO six inches long.
The Angora is quite different from
the Peruvian. having no bang or name.
but being very attractive in its long
coat OF straight hair that reaches 10
the ground.
The Abyssnlans. although hardly as
pretty as the long haired varieties. are
curiously interesting with their rough.
wiry hair growing in a series of per-
fectly formed rosettes in white. red
and broken colors
As pets for children. cavies are really
without a rival. They are always gen.
tie, and when accustomed TO their sur
roundings are very playful and affec-
tionate; their frJsky antics and ever
ready appetities especially cndearing
them TO the little ones. When first
born, they are mere tiny balls OF fluffy
down. which n child can hold in one
hand: they are wonderfully mature
from the start. opening their eyes at
once and before they are an hour old.
Jumping about In the most lively man.
1er and nibbsing bread and milk. grass.
bats and carrots along with their eld- |
FRS. They love TO BE- petted and mani |
est their pleasure in much the same !
way as the cat, the purr OF the former /
being modified by them into kind OF |
vhirr or chuckle. They also frequently /
indulge in musical twitter. which re-
minds one of nest full of singing
,irds. great point in their favor s
hat they are easily cared for at very
title cost, and are extremely hardy.
The increasing popularity of the cav +
es has led 10 the formation OF the Chi
ago Cavy Club. the only organization
( its kind In America, although cavy
Tubs are numerous in England. The
urpose is TO promote growing interest
\ cavy culture in this country. and the
lea has been enthusiastically endorsed
I the East as well as the West. Dur
1g the last decade the creation and i'm. |
rovement OF colors In England have
D increased the value Of the stock that
are specimens are sold there for $3.50
r $500 apiece.