Newport weekly independent., 1901-07-05
RAISING QUEER STOCK.
Illinois Woman Engages fin Breeding CavieS for Domestic
 Pets,

An cntcrprising woman out in Woodstoni' Ill.,, has demonstrated what one of her sex can do as a breeder of pet stock. She has been her success has been phenomenal, says the Chicago Tribune.
 Ii was she who introduced a novel, Gy in domestic pets called the cavy. This curious little creature has long been a favorite in England, but in America was, until a few years ago, practically unknown. She imported some fine specimens and began breed ing them. This woman ships her stock north, south, east and west and has become widely known as an au- thOrity on cayieS. She has also writ ten a great deal about the habits and the methods of caring for these lit tle animals.
 Most readers will ask: "What is a caVy?" He is 9 sort of second cousin to the guinea pig, and his sole mis- sion in life is that of pet. Utility is not ore of his attributes; he cannot catch the nimble mouse like the fam lily cat nor guard the household like faithful Towser. He is, however, quite as useful as the fashionable toy dog, whose beauty is his only recommendation
 The cavy is fast growing in popu- larity, and is preferred by many women to the frolicsome kitten. As ho ct rivaled, from the fact that he bears neglect with equanimity and is easier to rear than a blooded dog or eat.
 The finer kinds are exquisite little p1aytbings. There are several dis tinct varieties; the English, which are the best known, may be chased among the smooth coated animals; their hair is short and glossy, and is easily kept clean. They come in sey- eral color combinations, among which black and white and red and white are the most usual. The tri- colored, or tortoise shell, cavy in red, white and black is much in de- mand. To be correct, the color should be laid on in distinct pa atche S and not mottled. The self-colored species in lustrous black or red are extremely attractive; the white ones are more common.
 The Peruvian breed is so different from the English that one would scarcely recognize it as belonging to the same family. They have a coat as sleek and fine as spun silk, and their abundant names trail upon the ground and fall in a fluffy fringe over their heads and faces. In fact, the Peruvian cavy reminds one of an ex- tremely diminutive Yorkshire terrier, and is quite as pretty. Mixed color ings are the rule: white is the only solid color, and the pure white ones have lovely rose pink eyes and deli cate pink paws; they are, in fact, the albinos of the race.
 The Abyssinian cavy is a strange Cooking little beast by reason of the curious growth of his hair, which is distributed in distinct punches or TO- settes over his diminutive body; it is as rough and wiry as that of a Scotch terrier, and is white, red or in broken Soloring.
 The Angora is different again, and is distinguished from the Peruvian by its long straight hair and clean head free of furnishings.
 The long-haired cavy has a curious way of curling himself up when he goes to sleep, looking for all the world like ball of floss silk. He is, how ever, instinct with life when awake. p The cavy is not eXacting as to his bed and board; he is quite content with box on the lawn, or a lodging in the barn, and will nibble such kitchen refuse as the parings of vegetables and fruit; he will also eat milk and bread; he is inordinat tely fond of bananas and apples, which may be given him occasionally as des- sert.
 The cavy cuts a number of amusing antics, and is a never failing source of amusement in a household where there are children; he expresses his appreciation by twittering like ca nary or whistling like a mocking bird
 Dealers declare that there is a fast growing demand for these cunning little creatures, which have fast come into fashion.