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Bird - Fancier’s

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: Perfect Model of the
LONGBREED, OR FRENCH CANARY.

BIRD FANCIER’S
COMPANION; ,

OR,

RetURAL His bORY OF CAGE (BIRDS:

THEIR

FOOD, MANAGEMENT; HABITS, TREAT-
MENT, DISEASES, ETC., ETC.

BY

CHARLES REICHE,

Late of Braunschweig, Germany.

TENTH EDITION.

» None so merry, so merry as we.“

PUBLISCHED BY CHARLES REICHE & BROTHER,
At their Bird, Animal, Seed, and Cage Stores,
- 55 Chatham Street, New York, and 9 Bowdoin Square, Boston.
Log ls

fs RLEN [RS ND

i

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by
CHARLES REICHE & BROS.,

In the office of the Librarian of Congress at. Washington.

CAMTHSONIAN

MAY 21 1986
_ UBRARIES

CONT FE NcT.S.

PARR TIL GOS tre Meee Ra Ce nig Ye ci iah sre'ace 6 Gerona. a Venere ahesia Samia Vv
Mite WHE LLOU ea oe cio clais Srele sre are eek O'R «hanes G elgialadle QO Dhavers, cee eels vii

MPR CLCE Stee ieaia aie ole wre seal, Seis Ssret a! 6 6 (eee a Bre aoere eesereecba aici 9

EUROPEAN CAGE BIRDS.

Bee German Gahaiy . ore. Te ce on geen boon ee ewe 14
APG CALINENE Sa: cise aveh oo) afore 8s yaa clelay a Ste aes aravenen 4-2 19

. ES BRUT are eta, sabe clovoteie eied s otele otaisancrate eparancte ame 2
feuac French; or-Long-Breed Canaty, «<5 02 v. 0 cre ala ofers oon ait 26

SE er RELL N, F205 are ocaias aera) oft sms '0 Ss: ole's unt la diniaangturme ial Age 30
Beer CURIA Dia, odin eens age ‘aleusyaia <a) mien © elasce aie a-caie prafeeeoad ae 33

MM SPORTING NIG (1s ares einln cel eleaee Sie rwle’ cio sping Gi iu itionll Geta eB ekate 34

peepee he (Ka ebys leeieedia; «a/oiat aiatale’ o's ess charg avaeic We ature tin Heeapetale 35

PPMP NITICE GTCEM) te cscs es tyeie cine dg wnleled sks b aleceoSacmram cutee ao

PPPS VEN AIC y Gi cevataiye: x s\cye's a atain! 2's wine Wark Sie die wee eae eS 38
Pee AACA A atatzts Ws ciavcses Teas nic ord oat ac Sea Sle alll o lean eeaaeehe 43
BR Ving AL eg steht Rey crhi's aiecaiee, o ustie: sheca’ein: oleate’ Wate DN aurea eens 44
De MOOG NGAn grit cla Wes iss adie ane Solaele a veins pare colors Sodas 46
EOI ES CCl ROAR Ey acalecce/s!t' a yal vis don wd bo ipso Wate lta a Se 47
SOARING MLSS 6a) of'szs)' a, ere pail 6 Ged Siete co's sce-uale fe saWewe eo oo Live we 49
RSET AMNL Peat ae hele, fice teat Mase 8 penrcias Sao /site or bin ¥ wie ohcte a ee 51
Rep PAG IS ESIC NAN aa sie ate wre hecdedic wa cs 0 as Me fo cru dePoaonere 52

vi-

AMERICAN BIRDS. *

Page.
Ske PMPOCK ING DIE Ma at ate a. bstaks sa cstahey 5 ttm eee ee 53
y CMe ROM Seek Sh chs cee oe ase in eee (oe 55
oO aHIMOne KIMOle. Ahi «i! el Be saws sopetul i's ae ae eee 56
yedcat Bird,-or Black Capped Thrush,...... ssa. + ou chen “¥;
PEM pa saan sore ce oc Saold. gn as Sas aera pate ano ees aie 57
» Red Breasted Gross beaks, 5 noes mie ails tao a Siac ee 538
pe TREC NV INS Otar ling, 35 s5's <oiae os ae Whale Ohms Oe ean 59
Boseed Bird-or Virginia Nichtingale,: ol. duals os uum 60 —
SPC, Ome Wee O Bit, sic la cc's care Mena ee ee 61
PON OMAT EL 3. igre, SCs doatorelw reieeaie w seomaare qacte Mane iat ec oe ee 62
PaO AOU UTC IG pon tut aly So oP ene Se ee ans Se 6 le ER 62
», Vellow- Bird, or American,Goldfinch,. 5.003. 0 A.4.0000 63
OTHER FOREIGN BIRDS.
fives Coun eninerican “TP ngOpial, tics yak. sa pees we weeny co eeeee 63
Pet ANE RATIO Ws O os ois hn, & puis ols 5 hee RR aS Te 64
peainahGava: or Averdavet, «ccs. «ace biwt ceab betes Sw canals 65
PARROTS.
pine Grayor Aincan! Parrots). oc 2.0 css ale ous cites oe oes 67
our euowareaded: Green Parrot, osc sess oo eh anes 67
+; #common Yellow- Headed Parrot;...: .....'s. 5c «yn oe 67
a VERE AN Gia SParrOt..’s sss.s eos a on WA eS ana tee ye? So 68
General Remarks,..... 2 aN Wake ely alle oie kiss, ale aan ee Fo Kcaee

Charles Reiche & Bro’s, Catalopue,;: sca ss i.i cede eteeeee eye 70

INTRODUCTION.

WE all love Birds — Song birds especially. How can
we help it? Are they not the most lovely and joyous of
all God’s creatures; and such fitting companions for our
parlors, delighting us, as they do, with their charming and
sweet harmony? And what can be more pleasant to the
lovers of the beauty of nature, than to study their innocent
and amusing habits; True as this is, we should at the
~ same time not forget that, to enjoy this pleasure, these
little warblers have to become our prisoners, and can only
look to ws for their necessaries. It is, consequently, our
first duty to make //ezr situation as comfortable as possible.
To effect this, it is absolutely necessary to be acquainted
with the proper treatment for such as we have selected
for our fancy. This surely requires Some knowledge of
which many persons are quite ignorant, especially of the
European birds. This has induced me to draw up the fol-
lowing pages for the use of those who take delight in
rearing them.

Having been brought up in the midst of these sweet
songsters, in Germany; and always taken great delight in

rearing them, from my youth ; and been dealing in them, in

i Vill

this country, nearly ten years, (having, during that time,
brought over above twenty thousand birds,) it must be
quite evident to every person, that I have had many oppor-
tunities to gather every information respecting their singing
qualities and general treatment.

I now send forth this little book tho the American Bird
Fancier, (with all its errors upon its head,) as well for ¢hezr
information and entertainment, as for my owmz reputation
(and, I hope, profit) as a dealer in this department of Natu-
ral History, — hoping it will prove a useful and interesting
(multum in parvo) volume, not only to the owner of cage
birds, but also to the general reader, to while away a lonely
hour, reading the history, habits, &c., &c., of those delightful
specimens of God’s wonderful works of nature.

I remain, very respectfully,

THE AUTHOR.
New York, March, 1853.

DL aOR DE RS:

BIRDS, when properly taken care of, will seldom be
attacked with any disease; I would, therefore, above
all, recommend punctuality in feeding, and cleanliness;
and most assuredly say that, nine times out of ten, if a
bird take sick, it is by neglect of the above simple pre-
cautions. One thing is very essential: that is, to be
very particular in selecting the seed given to them,
which is fully particularized under the head of Treat-
ment of the Canary. (See page 19).

1. Moulting.—The most of our cage birds shed their
feathers yearly, in the month of September or October,
lasting, with a healthy bird, from two to four weeks;
and, though natural, it generally is accompanied with
disease. ‘They must at this time, be particularly taken
care of. Being so much more bare of feathers, they are
consequently more liable to take cold; should, there-
fore, be kept in rather a warmer place than usual; and
above all, protect them from a draught of air. A good
deal of room to fly about enables them to drop their
feathers more easy. It is well to see that they do not
- get out of food, as they eat more when under the influ-
ence of moulting; and their food should be varied. For
those birds that live on seeds, plenty of green food, some

I

10

bread and milk, and a little smoked bacon, scraped off
with a knife, is very healthy. And for soft-bill birds, a
meal worm dipped in sweet oil, some berries, and ant’s
eggs. Plenty of water for bathing schould be given
them. Birds that roll in sand (instead of bathing in
water), such as larks, quails, &c., require plenty of very
dry gravel.

If it happens that the wing or tail feathers do not
drop, they may be pulled out, two or three every day.
Some birds change their feathers /wece a-year, (fall and
spring.) These change their color also, being much
handsomer in summer than in winter. They are chiefly
natives of warm climates.

2. Vermin.—A great trouble to birds in confinement,
are insects (small lice, of a reddish color), which often
cause the death of a bird, though persons do not know
what is the matter with them. They are generally
produced by uncleanliness, and will, particularly in a
wooden cage, increase very fast. The symptoms are,
that when the bird, during the day, is observed to be
often picking itself, and the wing and shoulders becom-
ing bald, the crevices and joinings of their cage becom-
ing dirty outside. The insects hide themselves during
the day, in those crevices, &c., creep out at night, crawl
up to the birds, and torment them most unmercifully.
They will suck the blood out of them, and prevent the
poor things from resting all night. The bird thus tor-
mented, will appear dull and heavy during the day;
ceases singing ; and if relief be not given them, it very
often causes their death.

i

It is easier to guard against these insects, than to get
rid of them when once nestled. Persons purchasing
‘ cages should, therefore, be careful to have them per-
fectly new; and then, by keeping them clean, with
plenty of dry gravel on the bottom of the cage, and a
daily bath for the bird, there is but little danger of being
troubled with the above.

If, however, by neglect of these precautions, insects
should have got into the cage, it is best to put the bird
into a clean one, and let the infected one be scaldet.
In the winter season, leaving it out a night or two
will answer the same purpose.

I have found the use of hollow sticks, or reeds, as
perches, to be a great preventative of these troublesome
insects increasing, as they creep and hide themselves in
these hollows during the day; so that taking them
out occasionally, and scalding them, is sure to destroy
the insects. ‘Those perches then may be replaced. All
other remedies, I have found to be of little account

d. Lpilepsy.—Too rich food is generally the cause of
this desease. ‘The bird, when attacked by it, should be
dipped into cold water; or blooded, which is done by
cutting the hind claw, just far enough to draw blood,
then holding the foot in lukewarm water, till it ceases
bleeding.

4. Consumption.— This disease is more common in
birds (especially canaries) than any other. ‘The symp-
toms differ: sometimes the feathers on the bird sticking

12

out, and its eating an unusual quantity the eyes look-
ing heavy, &c. At another time giving a kind of hiccup,
appearing as if it had something sticking in its throat,
which it would like to have removed. If any of these
symptoms appear, some green food, such as lettuce,
chickweed, cabbage, or sweet apple, according to the
season; some stale bread, soaket in water, well pressed,
and mixed with fresh cream; a frequent bath; and a
rusty iron nail in their drinking water, are what we
recommend,

5. Asthma, or hard breathing. — This is generally
brought on by keeping a bird in too warm, or unventi-
lated, a room; where the delicate lungs of these little
creatures get injured. Soft food, such as soaket sum-
mer rape seed; bread boiled in milk; and less canary
seed than usual, — these we have found to be the best
remedy.

We have also found linseed tea, made very thin, to
be good, both for asthma and consumption, in healing
the affected parts. It is given to them, for a day or
two, instead of water: and renewed after a few days if
not found effective.

6. Costiveness.— This is discovered when the bird is
unable to relieve itself. In such case, it should be taken
out of the cage, and a drop of castor oil administered to
it, by opening its bill, and dropping it in; be sure you
observe that the bird has swallowed it. ‘Or a small
quantity of rhubarb (pulverised), about the size of a

13

grain of canary seed, mixed with soaket bread and
sugar. This they will eat freely, being sweet. If the
disease is light, plenty of green food will generally re-
move it.

For soft-bil birds, a few meal worms, dipped in
sweet oil, will have the desired effect.

7. Hoarseness, or loss of voice.— This sometimes
comes on by the bird taking cold, or oversinging itself.
Rock candy, pounded very fine, put into their drinking
water, or mixed with the yolk of a hard-boiled egg,
addet to their food, is very good.. If the bird is disco-
vered to be sneezing, and his nostrils stopped up, they
may be cleared by passing a small quill, pulled out of
their wing, through it.

8. Zhe Rump Gland.— This gland, which is on the
rump. contains the oil for anointing the feathers. People
ignorant of this fact, call it a disease, and often open it
to let out the matter. This is quite wrong, as it is ne-
cessary for all birds, and nature has taught them to
manage it themselves. If the bird gets sick, the gland
sometimes becomes swollen, by the bird not being able
to extract the oil. In this case, it is well to pull a few
feathers from each side of the tail; if necessary, the
whole. The new feathers growing out of the tail again,
will then draw oil enough to relieve the bird.

.

EUROPEAN SONG BIRDS.

THE CANARY.

» LHE UNIVERSAL PARLOR BIRD.“

THIS bird has its origin from the Canary Islands,
where its color is of a greenish gray, but has, owing to its
domestication, changed into a much more beautiful
plumage. We now find some of a greenish gray ;
some yellow spotted, some light yellow, and some deep
yellow. The latter color is generally the most admired.

They were first introduced into Europe about the
sixteenth century,* where their notes, particularly in
Germany, were greatly improved, by raising them in
rooms, where other birds, such as nightingales, wood-
larks, sky-larks, &c., &c., were commonly kept. Adding

* The arrival of the canary into Europe is thus described,
A vessel which besides its merchandise, was bringing a num-
ber of these birds to Leghorn, was shipwrecked on the coast
of Italy, opposite the Island of Elba, where these little birds,
having been set at liberty, took refuge. The climate being
favorable, they increased and would have become natural-
ized, had not the wish to possess them occasioned their being
caught in such numbers, that at last they were extirpated
from their country. From this cause, Italy was the first
European country where th¢ canary was reared.

15

to this by a frequent use of a little pipe or other instru-
ment played to them, the young ones had sufficient op-
portunity of being fully educated. They would take
some notes from each bird in whose neighborhood they
happened to be located ; and by agreeably mixing these
notes, the canary has attained such a beautiful and varied
song, which each family transmits to its descendants.

When the composed song of the canary was thought
completed, the use of other birds was not deemed
necessary, as the young ones now learned from their
parents! but great care has been taken to hold up the
most agreeable and varied song, also to avoid all false
and unpleasant notes, which the bird, on hearing, is
very apt to take up. Instead of a succession of noisy
bursts, the bird must know how, with a silvery, sono-
rous voice, to descend regularly through all the tones of
the octave. The most admired notes are the bow-trill
(bow-roll), the bell note, the flute, the water-bubble, the
nightingale note, wood-lark note, &c.; the whole song
must consist of about twenty different notes. It is neces-
sary that, to raise such birds, the breeder must be a good
judge himself; he must look out not to put any birds to
breed who have unpleasant notes ; he must also keep one
or two of the very best singers in a single cage near the
breeding-room, which will be the teachers of the young.
Owing to long practice and experience, the German
breeders have been able to gather much informaction
respecting their singing qualities and general manage-
ment. ‘This is the reason that the German canaries are
much superior in singing to any others.

W 6 : €

The best singers have been raised, within the last
century, on the Harz Mountain, in the kingdom of
Hanover, and in Thuringia, in Saxony, and have be-
come quite an article of merchandise. They raise an-
nually no less than j/ty thousand in that country
which are disposed of over the greater part of the earth,
and sometimes at extraordinary prices. In the present
year (1853), there were no less than ten thousand
German canaries brought over to the United States.*

The manner they are bred there is as follows : a room
of about 10 to 15 feet square is chosen ; plenty of nest-
boxes are hung around the walls, and perches placed
across the room. Then they put in 6 to 10 males, and
about three times as many females. The month of March
is when they are mated, so as to have three or four
broods, one each month in succession.

The young ones, so soon as they are able to feed
themselves, are taken away and put into another room,
where they are left flying about until the dealer makes
his purchase — which is as soon as they are done shed-
ding, and fit to be transported, say in the month of
October. The dealer now examines the birds and se-
lects those he thinks best suited for his market; as to
the price, it varies according to the singing qualities
and plumage, often bringing nearly double as much as
the general run. This always raises a great excitement

* Since the above, the fancy has increased so much in this
country, that in the last year, 1871, sixty thousand canary
birds found their way to this market, of which forty-eight
thousand were imported by ourselves.

17

among the breeders, as all dealers are anxious to procure
the best birds, so as to dispose of them at higher prices.

If there is one breeder known to possess superior
birds over another in the place, the latter tries watchfully
to procure some of the former’s stock, and if successful
in doing so, is compelled to pay a very high price.

This desire to procure some of those first-rate birds
is often carried to a great extent.

There has been lately a great number of canaries
raised in this country, but the breeders, not having the
opportunity, as they have in Germany, of introducing the
young ones into the society of the nightingale, the sky-
lark, &c., &c., have failed of producing such very sweet
singers — although considered by many to be equal.
Their notes are generally so shrill and unpleasant that
many cannot bear them in the room with them.

The qualities of the canary, such as its melodious
song, beautiful plumage, and docility, have long made it a
great favorite. If this bird were not so common among us,
_we would appreciate it more than we do. What can be
more delightful on a winter’s day, when confined to our
room by the weather, or any other cause, than to have a
couple of those sweet warblers, who seem to thake par-
ticular delight to cheer us with their song, as if by instinct
they knew we wanted something to enliven us, and cause
the time to pass away more cheerfully? Or, again, what
can be more amusing than to have a pair of them breed-
ing, to obseve how active they are in building their nest,
how attentive to their young ones ; how quick they come
down to the cup when fresh food is put in, take a beakful,

“ 18.

and fly off again to their little ones, to feed them, before
they eat any themseves?

TO A CANARY BIRD.

God bless thee and thy joyous throat

Thy trill, thy churr, thy piercing note
My tweet Canary.

Thou gush of song, thou waterbrook

Of joy, thou poem, doctrine, boock,
Vocabulary :

Thou caged up treasure of delight !

That knowst to make a prison bright,
Through music’s mystery ;

To — swell thy rich notes in full tide

Anon, the highest reach of sound divide
Like Paganini.

Where did’st thou gain this wondrous lore ?

Where that, which I admire yet more,
The glad Philosophy.

That smiles at iron bars and doors,—

In loneliness a spirit pours

Of mirthful minstrelsy.

LINES ON A BIRD’S NESS.

,, But most of all it wins my admiration,

To wiew the structure of this little wotk,

A bird’s Nest. Mark it well, within, without :
No tool had he that wrought, no knife to cut,
No neil to fix, no bodkin to insert,

No glue to join: his little beak was all;

And yet how neatly finished! What nice hand,
Whit every implement and means of art,

s\n twenty years’ apprenticeship to boot,
Could make me such another? Fondly, then,
We boast of excellence, whose noblest skill
Instinktive genius foils.“

19

THEIR: TREATMENT.

Although the canary, as a domesticated bird, is the
easiest of all others to take care of, his treatment the
most simple, and certainly the best known, notwith-
standing this, there are many persons whose idea on
this subject is but very limited, and what is worse, very
erroneous. As to their food, the more simple and nat-
ural I have always found to be the most productive of
good health and cheerfulness: while, on the other
hand, I have invariably found that mixtures, introduced
by many, such as rape, millet, hemp, canary, poppy,
lettuce, oatmeal, oats, sugar, sweet-cake, biscuit, and
such like, so far from being wholesome, is very inju-
rious: it spoils their taste for their natural food, weak-
ens the stomach, renders them feeble, sickly, and inca-
pable of bearing moulting, under which they frequently
die. I have kwown in Germany many persons who
breed birds for sale, who are poor, and cannot afford to
procure these delicacies, and therefore obliged to feed
their birds on the most simple food, which is rape-seed
alone, raise great numbers of the most healthy and
strong birds. I have found the best food to be a mix-
ture of rape and canary seed. A little fresh green food,
such as chick-weed, lettuce, or cabbage, in season, or
sweet apple in winter, will be found very healthy.

The MAIN POINT is to obtain pure and fresh seed
for them. Rape seed, when old, or kept too long ina
damp place, becomes musty, gets a bitter taste, and
won’t agree at all with birds. The canary seed must be

20

clean and of a glossy hue, feel heavy, be free from
musty smell, and have a sweet taste.

The best rape-seed is the German summer rape ; this
has a nut-like flavor in distinction from the English
rape, which tastes somewhat like mustard.

The cage must be daily supplied with fresh water,
both for bathing and drinking, and their cage cleaned
out at least once a week, and the bottom covered over
with dry gravel, which birds will freely pick, and which
helps digestion. Their perches should be kept clean.
Their feet must be occasionally examined, and if found
dirty, the bird should be carefully taken out of the cage,
the feet soaked in lukewarm water, and the dirt washed
off. In catching a bird for the above operation it is
well to darken the cage first to prevent him being
frightened. The claws, if too long, should be cut with
a sharp scissors, but care should be taken not to draw
blood ; the same with an overgrown bill. Persons
keeping canaries for their singing only, should keep
them in cages of about a foot in diameter, either round
or square ; as in a large cage they will not sing so well
or constant, having to much room to fiy about and
amuse themselves, which in a great degree takes away
their attention from singing. It is of necessary to
keep these birds in a very warm room in the winter
season, as they can endure a great deal of cold without
injury; but they should be kept in as equal a tem-
perature as possible, and not removed from a cold
_ room to a warm one, or vice versa, ‘They should be

hung where they will be free from a draught, which is
=~

21

likely to give them cold. It is very good to keep the
bird in the summer season, during the day, in the fresh
air, but should be taken indoors when it is at all likely
to storm ; they should also be shaded from a very hot
sun. Many persons are apt to hang these birds out in
the spring and fall, when the weather is rough and
cold, or in the summer, when excessively warm in a hot
sun, against a wall which attracts heat, without the
least covering over their cages; birds cannot live
under such careless treatment; and it causes much trou-
ble and annoyance to the owner as well as those who
sold them, as they get sickly and delicate; persons
then think they have been imposed upon by obtaining a
bad bird. These things should not be so.

Bak EBD BiG.

This is a very important item, as well as amusing,
in the hystory of the canary, as there is no bird so easily
reared in the cage; at the same time requiring some
knowledge for the proper management. Birds for this
purpose should be selected in good healthy condition ;
they should not be over six years old. The male birds
for this occasion may be kept in small cages, so that we
may enjoy their song fully until the breeding season
comes round. But the females should be left fiying in
a large cage, so as to give them plenty of room to exer-
cise ; this prepares them for the purpose intendet.* If

* When, in the mating season, several male and female
Canaries are kept in one room, so that they can see and hear

22

intended to breed several birds in a room flying about,
two or three females may be put to every male, the
nest-boxes hung round the room — two for each female,
as they will commence building the nest for the second
brood in a fresh box, before the first young ones leave
the nest they were hatched in. Sufficient perches must
be placed in the room, and some of them low enough to
enable the young ones, which have just left their nests,
to fly up tothem. Plenty of stuff for nesting, such as
deer’s hair, fine moss, manilla cut up to about an inch
in length, paper shavings, &c., should be strewed on the
floor. As soon as the young ones are enabled to feed
themselves, they should be removed from the room, as
they are apt to annoy the younger brood.

To breed them in a cage, I would recommend but

each other, it is often the case that some of them will mate
together, although they are separate from each other. Now
if all these birds-are let loose-in a room to breed together,
nothing will hinder the union of those that are already ma-
ted. But when we put them by the pairs to breed in single
cages, it is but seldom that we just happen to place those
mated ones together. The consequence then is, that such
male generally dislikes the females that are put with him,
always longing for his old mate, which he sees in with an-
other bird ; and she, likewise, is indifferent to the male that
is put in with her. Under such circumstances, it is no won-
der if the breeder is unsuccessful in raising a great number
of birds. We therefore recommend any persons that wishes
to breed more than one pair in cages, to place them, before
the breeding season commences, so that the males and fe-
males can neither see nor hear each other.

23

one female to one male, for two females will seldom agree
well together. The breeding cage must be at least
two feet long, hight and depth in proportion, hung up
in a quiet place out of view, and disturbed as little as
possible. The nest-boxes are best of tin or wire, as
wooden ones are-more liable to create insects, which
are very annoying to the little birds, and often cause

‘their death. To prevent this, it is well, as soon as the

young ones are hatched, to make a fresh nest for them

-and remove them carefully into it, and let the old nest

be thrown away.
A short time before the birds are put to breed, we

should commence feeding them with higher food, such

“

as hard boiled egg, chopped up fine, white and yolk to-
gether ; this, of course, to be exclusive of their general
seed.

Some birds have defects; for instance, some males
are dull and melancholy, always sad and seldom singing.
indifferent to their mates, which are equally so to them.
Others are so passionate, that they beat and even some-
times kill their mate and their young. Some are too
ardent, and annoy their mate while she in sitting on the
nest — destroying the eggs, tear the nest, or excite the
female so much that they often abandon their little
flock. Some females, in like manner are so ardent, that
as soon as they lay their eggs, they abandon them with-
out sitting at all. Others again, neglect to feed their
young ones; beat them, and pick out their feathers.
Vexing as this may be, yet there is no remedy to cure
these defects ; the best plan is to remove the vicious

24

bird and put another in its place. Good birds, when
put together, will generally mate within a week, which
_is easily known by their attention to each other. After
mating, they commence building the nest, and in
about a week the hen begins to lay, from 2 to 6 eggs,
one each day in succession, on which she will sit 138
days, when the young ones will come out, one after
the other. It is wrong to take the eggs from under her
while she is laying, as many ignorantly do, for the pur-
pose of hatching them at one time; it is best to let
nature have its way in this case.

As soon as the little ones are hatched they may be
fed, besides their general seed, with the following food :
egg, boiled hard, chopped up fine, and an equal quantity
of grated cracker, mixed together with the egg into a
paste. This food must be given to them fresh three or
four times a day; for the old birds will be more inclined
to feed the young when fresh food is handed them. An
extra cup should be handed them containing soaked
rape-seed. They also require fresh green food daily. If |
the old ones will not feed the young, they may be brought
up by hand.* When the young birds feed themselves,

* The nest to be taken out of the cage, or room, kept
in a warm place, and fed about every hour with @ gull
Spoonful of the above mentioned paste ; to which should be
added some rape-seed, soaket in warm water for at least an
hour; than the water drained off and the seed well bruised
ona board, so as to separate the hulls from the kernels ;
then the kernels mixed together with the paste. Two or
three quill-spoonfulls is sufficient at a time.

\

25

and are put into another apartment, they must still for a
short time be supplied with the soft food above mention-
ed; for their digestive organs are rather weak as yet.
In about a month this.may be dropped off gradually.
The young males will commence warbling as soon
as they leave the nest, and improve daily for 8 or 9
months, when their singing quality will depend very

- much upon the birds they are placed near.*

The male bird is distinguished from the female by
having a larger and flatter head ; its color, particularly
around the eye, is of a brighter hue, and its action also
differs from the female ; thése distinctions, however, are
only known by an experienced judge.

The canary will breed with other birds, such as gold-
finches, linnets, and siskins: for this purpose we must
take a female canary and a male of one of the above
species ; for a female of the Jatter cannot be induced to
lay in an artificial nest.

* If you want to learn them a particular air from an
organ, or other instrument, they must be put, when very
young, into a separate apartment,*in a dark place, out of
hearing of any birds, and the air played to them several
times a day.

26

THE LONG BREED,

OR FRENCH CANARY.

THIS bird is not as generally known as the common
canary, not being very many years introduced into this
country. We will, therefore, try and give a correct ac-
count of its origin and history.

The canary may, as well as any other domesticated
animal, be improved in shape and size by a certain way
of mating them. The idea of this plan of improvement
was first thought of in Belgium and France—from which
circumstance they are commonly called French or Bel-
gian Canaries.

While the fanciers and breeders of Germany were
desirous of improving the song, those in France and
Belgium were equally desirous of improving their size
and form. ‘For this purpose they selected the largest
male and female for breeding: by this method, after
years of care and study, they were enabled to produce.
these birds to the length of seven znches to seven and a
half; this, however, being the longest point achieved.
The general length of the canary is five inches. The im-
provement in length being conquered, their next view
was to improve their shafe.

For this purpose they mated those male and female
birds which came nearest the form they wished to
produce, the model of which was as follows ; the head
small and round; neck thin, projecting in from the
back ; shoulders high, and the back from thence to the

27

end of the tail a bow-like form; the chest projects
* out, and from thence the end of the tail forms a bow
inwards. The particular features of the long-breed
canary may be immediately discovered by examining
the engraving which we have placed as a frontispeice in
this book.

The tail feathers must lie close together, and ‘the

end of the wing close to the rump. A very particular

feature in this bird is the length of its legs, which should
be nearly straight, and their feet as close together as
their knees. The feathers must all lie on the body
smooth. This process of improving their shape also
occupied many years of attention.

At this time, there being great a excitement among
the breeders, vying with each other to produce the
+ best birds, caused the fanciers in several tgpens in
Belgium to form a society for holding an anngal ex-
hibiff®n, at which premiums were adjudged ‘to the
breeders of the first, second, and third class birds.
These exhibitions are still held with. great interest.
Besides these, a general exhibition is annually held,
where the fanciers of the whole kingdom of Belgium
meet; and valuable premiums awarded to the holders
of the best birds. Prize birds at this exhibition are
much thought of, and, if sold, brings high prices — we
ourselves having seen a pair in Antwerp sold for 700
Sranes.

Before the year 1840, these birds were hardly known
in this country; but since that time have become much
more sought after, particularly as a society has been

28

formed, and an exhibition held similar to that we have
just mentioned.* Persons breeding these birds must
be very careful in mating them, if they wish to secure
first-rate ones. For instance, a high-colored, either
male or female, should be put with a pale bird (mealy) ;
for if two high-colored birds are mated together, small,
delicate, and thin-feathered birds will generally be pro-
duced: and, on the other hand, if two pale ones are
mated together, their young will lose greatly in beauty
of color. Loosed-feathered birds —that is, birds whose
feathers do not lie smooth — are apt to throw out young
ones very inferior in size to their parents ; if, therefore,
we possess such, and for its shape and other good qual-
ities still like to breed from it, great care should be —
- taken to procure a very smooth-feathered mate for it.
And again, if we have a favorite bird, combining a// the
requisite qualities, with the exception of ome or two, we
must then procure a mate for it who possesses these
qualities to perfection. If these qualities are neglected,
‘the long breed bird, being an artificial one, as to its
length and shape, may degenerate to their original size.

By this little history of the long-breed canary, we
show that the fancy for them differs very much from
those of the common German Birds—the latter being
educated and taught in their’singing qualities, and kept
by the lovers of birds to please the ear with their de-

* This exhibition was first introduced in New York in
1846, and generally takes place in the month of January;
which is announced in the daily papers. Since this, a simi-
lar exhibition is annually held in Philadelphia, Boston, &c.

29

-lightful melody ; while the former are brought up for
_ their peculiar shape, length, and beautiful color, to please
the eye.

A perfect bird of the long breed brings a much high-
er price than the German canary, they being so much .
more difficult to breed ; this leads a number of persons,
ignorant of the fact, to suppose they must consequently
be much better singers; but this is not the fact —the
song of this bird is much inferior to the other ; and
persons can easily perceive it by referring to the history
of both birds, as already given in this little book.* The
treatment of this bird is the same as that of the com-
mon canary. ;

* It is quite an interesting item in the history of the long-
breed canary, how av¢ has rivaled azure in producing this
peculiar shape and size, so different from the original; and
this it is that causes the amateur to follow up the trouble
consequent on rearing these birds ; but a number of persons,
on the other hand, do it for the sake of traffic.

30

THE BULLFINCH.
Loxia Pyrrhula.

THIS bird is a native of Europe, where it is very
generally spread all over.

DescripTion. The male bird: top of the head,
wings, and tail are black; the back, dark gray; the
breast, blood-red ; the rump, white; its length, six in-
ches. The female is easily distinguished from the male,
for what is ved on him is gray on her.

It has no natural song, but is gifted with the ability
of imitating, with an astonishing accuracy, in a sweet
and flute-like tone, almost any air that is whistled or

»played to them on an instrument. This has made him
a great favorite among bird-fanciers.

In Germany, particularly in Hesse and Saxony, a
great number of these birds are taught, and by the
dealers brought to various parts of the world. The
raising and teaching is generally accomplished by shoe-
makers, tailors, and weavers, being so much confined to
their rooms at their work, and thus enabled to take
care of them— as at.this time they require much atten- .
tion. ‘The manner is thus: they are taken from their
nest when very young —sometimes not more than a day
old, such is the anxiety to get them — brought home,
and fed with the yolk of hard-boiled eggs, soaked white
bread, and soaked rape-seed, which is prepared as we
have already described in the note at the foot of page
24. This food is made fresh twice a day, as it soon

31

turns sour, and would then kill the birds. ‘They are fed
every two hours regularly; from two to four quill-spoon-
fuls, according to size and age. As the birds grow
older, the quantity of seed is increased, and the egg de-
creased, till the bird can feed itself. They are by this
time already put into separate cages, about a foot
square, and the whole rape-seed, merely soaked, given
to them, and by degrees brought on to the hard seed.
The teaching begins from the first day they are taken
into the house. ‘The tune that is intended they should
learn is whistled to them —wzst/img preferred, as in-
struments are generally too shrill — several times a day,
more particularly in the morning and evening. The
tune must be’ whistled always in the same key, and no
other whistled in the hearing of the bird, which is kept
in rather a dark place during the process of training.

There is a great difference in the capacity of the
bullfinch; some can be taught a couple of tunes in
three months, while others will take nine months; some,
again, will only learn a part of a tune, while others will
not learn at all. What they have not taken up when
nine months old, they will never learn. I have thus
been particular in giving an account of their treatment
after being taken from the nest, for the information of
such persons as wish to breed them in cages in this.
country, which can be done by putting a pair of healthy
and lively birds in a large cage or room, ia which a
small pine-bush should be placed, and fine moss, dry
grass, and bristles given them for the purpose of nesting.
The breeding season is in May, June, and July.

82

GENERAL TREATMENT. ‘The bullfinch should be
fed principally on summer rape-seed, to which may be
added a little canary and hemp seed; sugar, sweet-
cakes, or such like delicacies, spoil their taste, and
should not be given to them. A little greens in the
‘summer, or sweet apple in the winter, is very whole-
some, both of which must be fresh. The cage should
not be very large, a foot square is sufficient, with a flat
top —bell shaped ones they do not like so well. They
should be cleaned weekly, the bottom covered with dry
gravel. ‘Those that like to bathe must be supplied with
an extra cup of water. Their claws must be cut at
least twice a year. ‘They must always be handled very
gently, as they are easily frightened, harsh treatment
often causing-their death. As this bird becomes very —
much attached to its feeder ; it is recommended that the
owner will undertake this care himself, which enables
him to cause the bird to come out of the cage, sit on
his finger, and whistle at his command, which is very ©
amusing.

The general disorders of the bullfinch are moulting
{which is in the month of September), costiveness,
hoarseness, and epilepsy; if attacked with such, they
may be treated as is described under the head of dis-
eases. When properly treated, this bird will attain the _
age of five or six years. :

THE GOLDFINCH.
Fringilla Carduelis.

DESCRIPTION. Length, five inches and three-
quarters; the beak, whitish and very pointed; front of
the head is a fine crimson ; cheeks, white ; the top of
the head is black, which extends downwards from the
nape towards the breast; the back is brown ; the under
part of the body, whitish ; on each side of the breast,
brownish ; wings, black and yellow spotted ; tail, black,
with white spots. When a year old, the female is dis-
tinguished from the male by being smaller, having less
red on the head, and the shoulders being brown instead
of black.

This is one of the handsomest of all wild birds in
Europe, and the most known and admired of the finch
family, and deservedly so, alike from its beautiful plu-
mage, remarkable cleverness, proved docility, together
with its sweet song. This little funny fellow has such a ©
way of turning his body rapidly from side to side, as he
utters his sprightly notes, and so many amusing tricks,
that one cannot help being pleased with him. The
goldfinch is found all over Europe in the summer; but
in the fall and winter they assemble in flocks and seek
such localities where they find plenty of food, which con-
sists of all kinds of small seed: at this time they are
caught on bird-lime and exported to other countries.
When caged, the best food is a mixture of rape, hemp,

34

canary, and maw (poppy) seed, to which must be added
occasionally some greens, such as chickweed, lettuce, &c.
. The cage may be of the same size and shape as we
have already described for the bullfinch. ‘They must
~ also have plenty of bathing-water.

OE Gil pened hep Gils
Fringilla Spinus.

THIS is one of the species used in crossing with the
Canary. Its head and throat are black ; neck, back, and
sides. green, the back slightly spotted oath black. In
Europe it is a favorite caged bird, and really a beautiful
plumaged one. Their song is short and low, though
very agreeable, and they imitate with facility the notes
of various birds. Caged, they should be fed on poppy
seed, mixed with crushed. hemp ; their native food being
the--seeds» of the pine, thistle, fir, burdock and alder ;
also the buds of trees. As they are a greedy bird care
must. be taken not to feed them too much. In health
or sickness, their treatment, except feeding, should be
the-same-as the Canary.

30

THE LINNET (GRAY).

Linaria Cannabina.

DESCRIPTION. Length, five inches; its color, in

_ the wild state, when one year old, grayish brown on the
back; wings, rather darker; breast, red; belly, light
gray. After they moult in cages the red breast turns
gray.

This bird, though inferior in beauty of plumage to
the goldfinch, is yet very much kept in cages; it being
of a hardy constitution, and a most lovely singer, utter-
ing many very sweet, flute-like notes, and singing -al-
most throughout the year, which makes it a very pleas-

ing household companion.*

* ,,What can be more interesting than the affection of the
two linnets we are about to mention? A nest containing four
young ones, scarcely fledged, was found by some children,
who resolved to carry them home, for the purpose of rearing
and taming the young birds. The old ones, attracted by their
chirping, continued fluttering round the children, till they
reached the house, when the nest was carried up-stairs to the
nursery, and placed outside the windows. The old birds
soon afterwards made their appearance, approached the nest,
and fed the family without showing alarm. This being no-
ticed, the nest was soon afterwards placed on a table in the
middle of the apartment, and the window left open. The
parent-birds came boldly in and fed their offspring as before.
Still further to put their attachment to the test, the nest and
young ones were placed within a bird-cage ; still the old one

36 NE Cs Sa aren

To have the benefit of its song fully, it is well to keep
it in rather a small cage, say about ten inches long, and
hight and depth in proportion, with flat top. Its Food
is to be summer rape and canary seed, an equal quan-
tity, and plenty of green food. It must have water for
bathing and plenty of dry gravel on the bottom.

The general disorders of the linnet are costiveness
and epilepsy, in which case they may be treated as we
have already described under the head of disorders.
They will, however, seldom take sick, and generally live
from eight to ten years.

returned, entered boldly within the cage, and supplied the_
wants of their brood as before, and towards evening actually
perched on the cage, regardless of the noise made around
them by several children. This continued for several days,

when an unlucky accident put an end toit. The cage had

been again set on the outside of the window, and was unfor-
tunately left exposed to a sudden and heavy fall of rain; the
consequence was, that the whole of the young were drowned
in the nest. The poor parents, who had so boldly and inde-
fatigably performed their duty, continued hovering round the
house, and looking. wistfully in at the window, for several
days, and then disappeared. >

THE LINNET (GREEN).

~ THIS bird is rarely brought to this country, being
_inferior in song to the gray linnet. Its length is six
: 2 inches ; the prevailing color, yellowish green, lighter on
~ the lower part of the body, still more so on the rump.
The first nine wing-feathers are partly bright yellow.
4 The female is distinguished by being smaller, and her
_ color an ashy green. The treatment is the same as for
the gray linnet.

>

> THE CHAFFICH.
Fringilla Celebs.

DESCRIPTION. Fore part of the head, dark
brown ; upper part, gray blue ; upper part of the back
and shoulders, brown ; under part, greenish; cheeks

_ and breast, red brown ; lower part of the belly, white.
+ It is-a most delightful singer, and, in certain parts of
Germany, esteemed over all other birds. It is gener-
ally kept in a foot-square cage, the top darkened with
a piece of cloth, and hung outside of the window in
"spring and summer, where it sings much better than
“Inside.
The treatment is the same as for the linnet.

38

:
THE NIGHTINGALE*

Sylvia Luscinia.

5 Night from her ebon throne stoops down to listen
To this, the sweetest songster of the grove:
And pulses thrill, and eyes with rapture glisten,
As forth she pours her plaintive song of love.”

DESCRIPTION. Its length is five inches. The
top of the head and back is of a grayish brown, breast
ash gray, more light on the belly, and throat white.
Wings and tail dark brown. This bird is decidedly the
most melodious of all singing birds.

The compass, flexibility, prodigious variety, and har-
mony of his voice, make it the greatest favorite of the

* To show the value that was laid upon the Nichtingale
_ by the inhabitants of some of the Rhinish provincess, accord-
ing to the Cologne Gazette, the following ordinance was issued
afew years ago by the Prussian Minister of the interior,
complying with a petition from the inhabitants of these pro-
Winces ; —

,, After the publication of these presents, it is forbidden to
catch nightingales, under the penalty of a fine of five thalers
or eight days imprisonment. Whoever keeps, or wishes to
keep in a cage a nightingale, brought from abroad, is bound
to give information of it, within eight days, to the police, and
to pay, for the benefit of the poor, five thalers yearly. Who-
ever shall neglect to make this declaration annually, and pay
the said tax, shall be liable to a fine of ten thalers, or impris-
onment for fifty days.”

: me

lovers of the beauty of nature. Coleridge says thus of
this bird ;

»y—_—_——_——The merry nightingale

That crowds and hurries and precipitates,

With fast, thick warble, his delicious notes,

As if he were fearful that an April night

Would be too short for him to utter forth

His love-chant, and disburthen his full soul

Of all its music.‘‘

He will sometimes dwell for several seconds on a
strain, composed of only two or three melancholy tones,
beginning in an under voice, and swelling it gradually
by a most superb crescendo, to the highest point of
strength, he ends it bya dying cadence. His very strik-
ing musical talent, surpassing all other singing birds, has
acquired for him the name of the KING OF SONGSTERS.

The Nightingale is found all over Europe, in the sum-
mer season, more particularly in places that are shady
and cool, but not cold. In the winter they emigrate to
a southern climate, such as Asia and Africa, and return
about April. At this time they will sing throughout the
night, which drops off as soon as they are mated; after
which they sing only in the day time, till the month of .
June, when they stop singing altogether for the season.

When caged, and well treated, they will sing for six
or eight months during the year; some bégin in Decem-
ber, some in January, and some in February, and sing
till the month of July.

Their cage should be at least 15 inches long and a
foot high, in which are placed three perches, two below
and one above. ‘The top of the cage should be of green

40

muslin, or such like, instead of wire, which prevents the
bird from injuring its head, by flying up, which it is in
the habit of doing during the season of migrating. The
muslin should hang down from the top over the wire of
the side of the cage, far enough to reach down to the
upper perch, on which the bird most generally sings ;
this precaution keeps them shaded from view, as they
are of a timid nature. Its situation to be changed as
seldom as possible, and punctual treatment is expressly
necessary for this bird more than.any other. ~ |

The cage must be cleaned at least twice a week, and
the bottom well covered with dry gravel, and a daily
bath given. Their feet being very tender should be
looked after occasionally, and if found dirty washed with.
lukewarm water ; likewise the perches must be cleaned.
By neglecting this, their feet would become sore, and
cause lameness. In the winter they must be kept in a
warm room. If more than one is kept in a room, it is
well to place them so that they cannot see each other.
In the wild state, these birds feed on small insects and
their eggs, also chrysalis, elderberries, and currants. In
cages they are best fed as follows: — carrot, hard-boiled
egg, stale roll or biscuit, boiled sheep’s or calf’s heart.
An equal quantity of each of the above is grated (the
juice of the carrot squeezed out), to which is added half
as much ants’ eggs* as the whole of the above, and then

* The ants’ eggs are gathered in Germany in great quan-
tities, dried, and prepared for exportation: being a very |
wholesome food for all soft-bill birds, we import them, and

ve them on sale at our store.

41

all mixed up well. This food, of course must be made
fresh every morning, otherwise it would spoil. It is, con-
sequently, well to find out the proper quantity they are
able to consume in a day, as more than that will go to
- waste ; for what is left in the morning must be thrown
away.

It is not absolutely necessary to mix the above
mentioned artikles at all times; some of them, ex-
cept the ants’ eggs, may be left off occasionally — for
instance, in the summer, the eggs and meat, which
are very apt to get spoiled at that time. I have seen
Nightingales thrive well on ants’ eggs and carrot only.
Some fanciers will mix wheat bran, moistened with
milk; others bruised hemp-seed ; also currants or elder-
berries: all these, if the bird will eat them, will not
injure it. ;

In Belgium and France, the Nightingale are com-
monly fed as follows: one pound of yellow pea-meal,
half pound of honey, half pint of sweet almonds (pounded
fine), and half once of sweet butter, or in larger or
smaller. preparation, mashed well together, and made
into cakes, formed similar to.a sausage an inch thick,
and four inches long — these, after they are well dried,
will keep good for many months. Before fed, they are
grated, and mixed with an equal part’ of ants’ eggs.
Fanciers there assure me that the bird thrives very well
on this food. This shows that Nightingales are not
such delicate birds as they are often thought in this
country. Whatever they are fed on, from three to

: . 42

six meal worms* given them daily ‘proves very bene-
ficial.

Disorder. Moulting generally amounts, with a Night-
ingale, to a disease. At this period they must be well
taken care of. The ants’ eggs, before mixed with the
other food, are better to be soaked in hot water. The
number of meal-worms should be increased by two or
three. A spider now and then given to them is very
wholesome. As to the other disease, we refer to pages
9, &c. If good care is taken of them, they will gener-
ally attain the age of four to eight years.

*Meal worms can easily be raised, as follows: A box, that
will hold about a peck, lined with tin, so that the worm can-
not crawl out —or an earthern jar —is to be nearly filled with
wheat-bran, oatmeal, old woollen rags, a little old leather, and
brown sugar-paper. Into this are to be put about a couple
of hundred of meal worms,— the box to be covered with a
piece of cloth, or a board with a few holes to admit some
air. By keeping them in a quiet and warm place for three
months they will change into beetles. These insects soon
propagate by eggs, which renews and increases the stock
considerably.

43

THE BLACKCAP.
Sylvia Atricapilla.

DESCRIPTION. Length, six inches; the top of
the head black; upper part of the body, breast, wings,
and tail, ash-colored ; lighter under the belly. With the
female, the top of the head is brown instead of black.

This bird is found all over Europe in the summer
season ; in the winter it migrates to a more southern
climate. |

It is a most delightful singer, and is called the next °
best to the Nightingale. Its notes, though quite differ-
ent from the Nightingale’s, are no less admirable, and
are heard throughout the year, during the whole day,
except in the moulting season. He begins quite piano,
with several strains of warbling, and ends with loud,
most joyful, flute-like notes.

It should be kept in a cage similar to that we de-
scribed for a Nightingale. Being a very free singer, it
may be placed at any part of a room. Food and gen-
eral treatment may be quite the same as described for
the Nightingale.

Ag

>

THE SKY LARK.

Alauda Arvenstis.

The crested herald of the morn, that springs
Up from his grassy flight,

Seeming to rain down music from his wings,
And bathe his plumage in the fount of light.

DESCRIPTION. The upper part of the body is
brownish, mixed with dark spots. The breast and sides
are of a gray brown, spotted; underneath the belly, a
muddy white. Length, seven inches, to seven and a half.
This color, however, sometimes changes, when caged,
according to the food given him, and the room where
kept in. ‘This beautiful warbler is spread all over Europe,
and has the most peculiar manner of flying of any of the
feathered tribe, its movement being invariably upwards,
in a perpendicular line; after leaving his grassy abode,
beginning his melodious song, which he continues un-
ceasingly till nearly out of sight (sometimes completely
out of sight), looking like a mere speck, towards the
heavens, and even then you may hear his sweet voice
dying away, as if in the clouds; when he descends, in
like manner, still continuing to gratify his hearers be-_
low with his own peculiar melody, till within a short
distance from his nest,— then silently alighting, hiding
himself in the grass, fearing as if by instinct, some
straggling wanderers were watching his movements, and
find out the spot to ,rob a bird’s nest,“ when he creeps ~
along, quite unseen, to visit his home and little family.

45

~

“Many a time have we ourselves sat in the meadow where
- they build their nests, and watched with much delight

their journeying through the air, and back again, count-

“ing from ten to fifteen minutes, and sometimes, even

longer than that, all the time continuing its most thrill-
ing and extatic notes. ‘The Skylark, when caught
young, or brought up from the nest, will make a most
excellent cage-bird, singing during the whole winter,
spring, and summer. When caught old, it seldom an-
swers for a cage, being too timid, and very difficult to
tame.

It should be fed with a mixture of maw seed (poppy)
or bruised hemp seed, pounded biscuit, and a little hard-
boiled egg, chopped up, to which may be added occa-
sionally a little raw beef, lean, scraped fine, or a couple
of meal worms. Some larks will eat canary and millet
seed, groats of oats. An extra dish, with this food, may
be placed in their cage, which, if the bird eats, will prove
very good for them. A little green food occasionally,
chopped up, agrees well with them.

The Lark’s cage should be from twelve to eighteen
inches long ; hight and depth in proportion ; the Z/, in-
stead of wire, may be of cloth, or if bordered or wired
should be lined with such, to prevent their hurting
themselves by flying upwards, as they are apt to do.
No perches are required in the Lark’s cage, as they
never perch, their claws being stiff, not like other birds.
The bottom of the cage should be covered with dry
sand or gravel, half an inch deep, in which they will roll
and dust themselves. They do not bathe in water as

46
+

other birds. In the middle of the cage should be placed -
a little table, about two inches high, on which is kept a’
_ green sod; this the bird will much enjoy while singing.
The boxes for feeding from, and for water, must be
outside the cage, which prevents the feed from getting
dirtied by the gravel, which they scatter about as above.
In fine weather they may be hung out in the open air.
With proper care the Lark often lives to ten years of
age.

THE WOOD LARK.
Alauda Arborea.

THIS bird resembles the Skylark in color, but is
smaller, measuring six inches to six and a half, and is
one of the sweetest singers in Europe — his song being
a combination of beautiful, thrilling and soft, flute-like
notes, and quite free from any shrill or unpleasant ones.

Its food may be the same as the Skylark. The cage
may be the same, but with the addition of perches in-
stead of the green sod.

AT

THE ROBIN REDBREAST.

Sylvia Rubecula.

DESCRIPTION. The upper part of the body, wings,
and tail are of an olive brown; the forehead, throat, and
breast, of an orange-red; belly, white; length, five in-
ches and three quarters. This bird is thought very
much of in Europe, particularly in England, being so
lively and very handsome a bird ; it is easily tamed, so
as to let it out of its cage, and play about a room. It
possesses a sweet warbling song.

Its food may be the same as that of the Nightingale,
already mentioned ; it will also eat freely of the poppy
seed and bruised “hietiip: when mixed with the other
food. Its cage should be at least eighteen inches long,
and in proportion wide and high. This bird is very
fond of bathing, and should therefore be daily provided
with a bath; but when allowed to fly about a room,
care must be taken not to leave a pitcher, or any large
vessel with water within its reach as they are very apt
to make to such, and frequently get drowned: we have
known several such instances occur, to our own know-
ledge.

The following beautiful lines are from the pen of
Bishop Doane, of New Jersey.

48

. m
ROBIN REDBREAST.
», sweet Robin, I have heard them say
That thou wert there, upon that day
That Christ was crowned in cruel scorn,
And bore away one bleeding thorn ;
That so the blush upon thy breast,
In shameful sorrow was impressed 3;
And thence thy genial sympathy
With our redeemed humanity.

» Sweet Robin, would that I might be
Bathed in my Savior’s blood like thee ;
Bear on my breast, whate’er the loss,
The bleeding blazon of the cross ;
Live, ever, with thy loving mind,

In fellowship with human kind ;
And take my pattern still from thee,
In gentleness and constancy.“

The following verse is an extract from a very pretty
and pathetic poem, written on the far-famed story of
» lhe Death of the Babes in the Wood :“

,, No burial these pretty babes
Of any man receives ;

But Robin Redbreast painfully
Did cover them with leaves.“

49

THE SONG THRUSH.

Turdus Musicus.

A flute-like melody is thine, O Thrush !

Full of rich cadences, and clear and deep:
Upon the sense it cometh like a gush

Of perfume stolen from the winds that sweep .
Where spice-isles gem the bosom of the deep.

DESCRIPTION. Upper part of the body is olive-
gray; wings and tail-brown; breast and sides, yellow
with numerous oval-shaped dark-brown spots; length,
eight inches and a half.

The Song Thrush is a most melodious singer, being
gifted with a more powerful tone than any of the
feathered choristers of the European forest. This
speckled musician pleases with delight, and satisfies, as
it were, the very soul of thee listeners. In the wild
state it only sings during the spring ; but when caged,
and properly treated, will sing eight or nine months of
the year, commencing about December or January. It
is for this reason, as well as for its beautiful song, that
the thrush is so much kept in cages, and domesticated.
In the spring of the year its voice becomes too loud to
be in a room ; it is therefore hung up outdoors, where
it pleases the whole nighborhood.

Their food may be of two different kinds, viz. A
piece of a roll (stale), soaket in water for a few minutes
and then pressed out, is mixed with the same quantity
of coarse barley or oatmeal ; to this is added enough of

50

fresh milk, so as to make a thin paste of it. This paste
must be made fresh for them every morning, as it is
likely to get sour, and the birds refuse to eat it. The
other mixture (which I have found the best) is, bruised
hemp seed, carrots grated and the juice squeezed out,
and stale roll or rusk (grated) ; an equal quantity of each
mixed up well. This food will not turn sour so easily
as the former, neither are the birds so liable to dirty the
cage after it. A little hard boiled egg, chopped up, may
be put with either of the above mixtures; also a little
fresh meat (lean) given to them occasionally will prove
very good for them. An extra dish, with dried currants,
well washed, may be constantly left in their cage.
These they are generally very fond of, and are very
healthy for them.

The cage for the Thrush should be at least two feet
and a half long, and high in proportion; the perches
three quarters of an inch thick. The Thrush is also
very fond of bathing.

THE STARLING.

Sturnus Vulgaris.

DESCRIPTION. The color of this bird is of a black-
ish hue, changing to pourple towards the front of the
body and to green towards the hind part. The feathers
on its body are all tipped with white, less on the head
than the other parts. Its length is eight inches and a half.

The natural song of a Starling is rather poor, but he
has a wonderful good memory. He will learn to re-
peat several airs that are played to him, with great
ease ; nay, more, he learns to pronounce words very dis-
tinctly, or imitate the song of other birds, or any sounds
when repeatedly heard. Besides this, he becomes very
tame in the house, so as to be let out of the cage, and
walk about the room. He soon knows all the persons
in the house, is always gay and wakeful, and as docile
and cunning as adog. I have one at the present time
that whistles three different airs very correctly, and
speaks about fifteen German words quite distinktly.

The Starling, when brought up in a cage, will learn
until two years old; other birds seldom learn after one
year old. |

His food and treatment may be the same as that of
the Thrush. They are a very hardy bird, and will
sometimes attain the age of fifteen years.

I have thus far given description of the European
Song Birds, with the exception of a few that are little

52

\
sought after—such as the Sparrow, the Redpole, &c.,
which are hara-bill birds, and live on seed, and may be
treated same as the Goldfinch,— besides, the Fawnette,
the Field Fare, and a few others, which are soft bill
birds, and may be treated as the Thursh.

THE BLACKBIRD.
Turdus Merula.

DESCRIPTION. This bird is of a pure velvety
black, with an orange-yellow bill. Its length is nine
inches and a half.

The notes of the Blackbird, though not so various as
of the Thrush, still are of a more sweet, flute-like tone ;
besides this, he possesses the ability of imitating airs
which are whistled to him; this he executes to great
perfection. When in a wild state, this bird only sings
about three months in the year ; but when caged, sings
nearly throughout the year. His food and treatment
may be the same as we described for the 7hrush.

We consider the Blackbird, when in full plumage,
and in good health, a very handsome bird, and there-
fore are scarcely inclined to agree with an anonymous
poet who says:

», could not think so plain a bird
Could sing so sweet a song.‘‘

AMERICAN AND OTHER BIRDS.

MY experience being rather limited with American
birds, I can say but little on the subject. However,
what I do know of them, I will explain to the best of
my ability.

With the exception of a few, the American birds are,
in general, inferior for their singing qualities to. the
European ; notwithstanding this, they are much kept in
cages and in aviaries, for their great beauty of plumage.
The best of all American birds is decidedly

THE MOCKING BIRD.
Tis Polpslots, Aadebon,

SWEET Songster! Yea, Nightingale of America!
This unrivalled songster is a native of the Southern
_ States, where thousands of them are taken from the nest

‘before they are fledged, and reared byshand, and sold
for fabulous prices.

The celebrated poet, Cowper's expression of the
' nightingale:

“Ten thousand warblers cheer the day,
And ove the live-long night.”’

54

Is equally appropriate to our Mocking Bird. Who, on
passing through the streets of any large city on a bright
night in June, has not heard the shrill scream of the
Eagle, the mourning note of the Turtle Dove, the deli-
cate warble of the Blue Bird, the cackling of the domes-
tic Hen, followed by the quarreling of a dozen or more |
Grimalkins, each seeming to vie with the other as to the
quantity of noise; then the cry of the Katy-did, the
mellow whistle of the Cardinal, the grunt of the maternal
porker searching for her juveniles, the creaking of some
rusty swing sign-board, the pipe of the canary, and the
cry of some lost puppy wailing in the mid-night air, and
each suceeding the other with a rapidity that the listener
wonders if such a variety can come from so small an
object.

The Mocking Bird is a general favorite, and deserves
to be attentively cared for. He is particular, and should
be fed and watered at the same time every day. His cage
should be large, and kept very clean, with plenty of
gravel. His food should be the PREPARED MOCKING
Birp Foon, and during moulting season feed him plen-
tifully with berries, grasshoppers and spiders, with occa-
sionally a meal worm or two, and keep him out of all
draughts of air, and with these precautions the bird’s
average life is ten years.

55

BLUE ROBIN.
Stalia Lilsoniz.

DESCRIPTION. Length, six and a half inches;
breast, rust brown; belly, muddy brown ; top of the head,
back, wing, and tail, a beautiful blue.

It is a native of the United States ; stays and breeds
with us in the summer season, but migrates southward
when cold weather is coming on. It lives on insects,
berries, &c. In the cage it thrives best on the paste No.
2, as prescribed under the head of GENERAL REMARKS,
It is merely for their beauty of plumage that the Blue
Robin is kept in cages; their song is of no account.

THE ROBIN, OR RED-BREASTED THRUSH.
Turdus Migratorius.

DESCRIPTION. Length, 8 inches; throat white;
breast, red ; the other part of the body dark gray ; still
darker on the head, wings, and tail.

The Robin is found all over the United States. They
return from the South early in spring, and breed in our
State in great number.

It is principally for his ability in imitating different
tunes, which are whistled to him whem young, that he
is kept in cages; for his natural song consists but of a
few broken notes. This bird is generally treated the
same as the Mocking Bird. Those I have kept, I fed
on the same mixture as described for Thrushes, which I
have found very good for them.

56
,%

BALTIMORE ORIOLE*
: Leterus Baltimore.

DESCRIPTION. Length, seven and a half inches.
Head, throat, and back, black; wing feathers, dark -
brown ; the two middle tail feathers, dark brown; the —
others, brown above, and yellow on the end ; the upper
covert (shoulder) orange ; the greater covert, black, with
white ends; breast, belly, and rump, orange color, a
little darker on the breast.

The name of this beautiful bird denotes its being a
native of the South; however, it visits us here in the
North, in the spring, where it remains, breeds, and re-
turns in the fall to its warm quarters. ‘They live in the
wild state, on insects, berries, &c. When caged, the
paste, No. 2, as prescribed under head of GENERAL
REMARKS, answers for them, and agrees very well.

The song of this bird, although low and short, will
be found agreeable; but it is more for their beautiful
plumage that they are kept in cages.

*These birds have a very peculiar manner of building their
nest: They choose the utmost branch of a high tree, from
one of the twigs of which they hang a nest, in the shape of a
little bag, weaved beautifully together with strings of twine,
dry grass, small roots, &c.: indeed, so artfully and so cun-
ningly out of the reach of the hands of their enemies, that we
must look with amazement, and ponder and admire what
wonders the Almighty has wrought for this species of his
creation.

ae

THE CAT-BIRD,
OR, BLACK-CAPPED THRUSH. °
Orpheus Felivox.

DESCRIPTION. Length, eight inches ; prevailing
color, dark gray; black underneath; top of the head
black, and some reddish-brown feathers underneath the
tail_— these are more red-on the male than on the fe-
male (the only disitnction). This bird is a native of the
United States, and is found in Canada in the summer
season. Its song, although low, is quite pleasant. It
will, also, in a certain degree, try to imitate the notes of
other birds. Their treatment may be the same as that
described for the Mocking Bird. They require a large
cage, and a frequent bath.

THE BLUE JAY.

Ganulus Glandarius.

DESCRIPTION. Length, ten and a half inches;
bill, black ; tuft on the head, blue (which the bird can
raise or fall at will); throat, cheeks, and breast, light
gray; belly, white; a black ring round the neck down
to the chest; back, light blue ; wing, wing coverts and
tail, light and dark blue, with black stripes across, white
edged.

4

= 5 8 ‘

This bird has no natural song, but*will, when reared

“in a cage, to a certain degree, imitate an air that is —

whistled to him. They require a large-sized cage, and
live very well on the paste No. 1, prescribed under head
of GENERAL Remarks. They are fond of a little beef,
as mentioned on ‘same page.

RED-BREASTED GROSBEAK.
Guarica Ludoviciana.

THIS very elegant bird is but little known, yet but
few of our domestic birds much surpass it in sweetness
of song, or beauty of its plumage. It sings by night as
well as by day, and its notes are very clear and mellow.
Its great rarity in the wild state accounts for the fact
that it is so seldom seen caged, yet no bird can be more
highly prized, its bright carmine breast, and deep black
and snowy white body forming such a rich contrast.
During the summer it wanders into the high northern
latitudes, wintering in the Middle States. Caged, their
food is the same as the Red Bird.

RED-WING STARLING.
Stumus Vulgaris.

DESCRIPTION. Length, eight inches. The male,
when two years old, is black all over, with the exception
of the wing coverts (shoulders), which are yellow and
red. When young, the black is mingled with small
brown spots, and. less on the coverts. The female re-
sembles the young male bird, but no red at all.

This bird, a native of this country, arrives here early
in the spring ; breeds here, and returns for the winter,
back South.

Their song is of little variety, being a succession of
chattering notes, but when assembled together in large
flocks, as we have often seen them, filling the branches
of a large tree, and all joining together with their notes,
form a concert not less to be admired by the lovers of
nature, than one performed by a band of amateurs.

In the wild state this bird lives on berries, insects,
&c., as well as on seeds. We have fed them in cages
on canary and hemp seed, and observed them to do
very well, another time we have kept them on the paste
No. 2, as prescribed under head GENERAL REMARKS.
They require a large-sized cage, and a frequent bath.

— 60

.
THE RED BIRD.
OR, VIRGINIA NIGHTINGALE, .
Guarica Cardinalis.

THIS bird is a native of the Southern States, and one
of the handsomest birds of the New World. Its color
is of a brilliant red, with the exception of the throat,
and the part round the beak, which is black. The head
is ornamented with a tuft; this he is capable of raising,
which gives him a very commanding appearance. Its
length is eight inches.

Together with its beautiful plumage, this bird is gifted
with a very sweet, pleasing song, though of rather a low
tone. :

Being a very hardy bird, and easily taken care of,
he is much kept in cages in this country, as well as in
Europe, where we have frequently seen him in aviaries,
as well as cages. He commands a high price there, for
his great beauty. He should be kept in a good-sized
cage, and fed with a mixture of canary and hemp seed,
and rough (unhusked) rice, to which may be added, a
little fresh green food, or a piece of apple, occasionally.
When properly treated, this bird often attains the age of
fifteen years.

61

THE BLUE, OR INDIGO BIRD.
Spiza Cyanea.

THIS bird is of the same size as the Canary. Its
plumage is of a most beautiful blue — still more brilliant
on the head. It is a native of the Southern States, but
in the warm season visits some of the Northern. It ar-
rives in our neighborhood about the beginning of. May,
‘and remains with us till the cold weather comes on,
when it returns to its more congenial quarters. It has
quite an agreeable song, which may sometimes be heard
in the middle of the night.

The Indigo Bird changes its color twice a year, turn-
ing to a grayish color in the winter. The female may
be easily distinguished from the male, being always of
a gray color, and still more in winter.

They thrive well on being fed on canary, rape, and
millet seed. They like a little green food, and are fond
of bathing.

62

THE NONPAREIT. |
' Spiza Ciris.

Tat very handsome bird is found in the warm States,
and often brought on here by saylors from Savannah,
Mobile, and other seaports. Its color (that is, of the
male, when three years old) on the head and neck is a
most beautiful violet ; the back, yellowish green ; tail,
brown; breast and underpart of the body, bright red;
length, five and a half inches. The color of a female is
dull green on the upper part, and yellowish green on
the lower part of the body, being the same as the male
when one year old.

Its song is similar to that of the Indigo Bird. Its
food and general treatment may also be the same.

BOB-O-LINK.

THIS bird has received his name from a peculiar song _
of his own, in which he expresses very distinctly the
words ,,b0b-0-link “ several times in succession. They
are found in our State, in the summer season, in great
numbers ; but migrate southerly when cold weather. ar-
rives. As to his singing qualities, he is generally con- |
sidered to be the next best to the Mocking Bird ; indeed,
what I have seen of him, inclines me to give the same
opinion. It is principally fed on canary, millet and
rape seed, to which must be added plenty of green food,
and frequently a bath given him.

63

THE YELLOW BIRD,
OR AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.

Carduelis Americana.

DESCRIPTION. The length of this lively little bird
is only four and a half to four and three-quarter inches.
They change their feathers twice a year. Inthe winter
their prevailing color is a kind of olive-green, which
in the summer they change into a much more beautiful
plumage — viz., top of head, wing and tail, black ; back,
rump, breast, and belly, bright yellow. The prevailing
color of the female is a muddy gray.

This beautiful bird is found all over the United States,
and lives on all kinds of small seed. In cages they are
generally fed on yellow-bird seed, but will live on a
mixture of canary, millet and poppy seed just as well ;
to which may be added a little green food occasionally.
They must have gravel in the bottom of their cage, and
water for bathing. Their song is very limited, yet its
lively appearance and beautiful plumage renders him a
favorite cage bird.

SOUTH AMERICAN TROOPICATL.

THIS richly plumaged bird presents a similar ap-
pearance to the Baltimore Oriole, or, what is called in
the Northern States, Golden Robin. The chief difference

64

being that it is much larger in size, and the orange of
the body, being more of a yellow. It is one of the
feathered tribe of the tropics, gifted with great powers
of song ; being extremely docile, they are great favorites
for the cage, and in confinement become so tame that
they will hop on your hand at call. 7
Their song is a very powerful, yet pleasant whistle
of clear and varied notes. They are extremely active,
and very graceful in their movements, and require a
cage the same size that a Mocking Bird is usually con-
fined in. In their wild state, their food consists of in-
sects and berries ; caged they require the same food as
the Mocking Bird.

THE JAVA SPARROW,
OR RICE BIRD.

Loxia Orizyvora.

THIS bird is about the size of a Canary, its length
being five inches. The beak is thick, and of a fine rose
color; head, throat, and tail black ; cheeks white; the
belly, purple gray ; and the rest of the body fawn color.
It is merely for their beauty that these birds are kept in
cages, their song being of small account. They are
natives of the East Indies; and are often brought in
great numbers from the Island of Java, to this country
and to Europe. They feed on rough rice (unhulled),
hemp and canary seed. ‘They are particularly fond of
bathing.

oO
Or

THE AMANDAVA. ~

Lringilla Amandava.

THIS beautiful little bird is brought from Bengal,
Java, Malacca, and other tropical countries of Asia. It
is one of the smallest birds that is caged, its length being
only from two and a half to three inches. The color of
the male, when two years old, is of a bright red, with
white spots; when younger, its plumage is not so bright,
being more of a grayish color. The female is smaller,
and of the same color as the young males. Their song
is very low. In cages, they are best kept by the pair,
and not single ; as they are in the habit, when on their
perch, to keep very close together, for warmth. It is
quite amusing to see a number of these sweet little
creatures in a row, close to each other, while the outer
ones, after a short time, make their way into the middle
of the lot; and so each one must take its turn to sit
outside. The cage for these birds must be made ex-
pressly for them ; the wires requiring to be much closer
together than the Canary’s cage. The best seed for
them is millet and canary; and a little lettuce and sweet
apple occasionally. ‘They also like t6 bathe. By this
tréatment, they thrive well in cages. They are exported
to this country and to Europe, even so far north as
Russia, where we ourselves have met with them. Their
diminutive size and great beauty renders these birds
general favorites with fanciers.

66

PARROTS.

Psitticina.

THERE are a vast number of species of the Parrot,
(ornithologists say 200). They all are natives of tro-
pical climates, and may be distinguished by their bill
being large, and the upper mandible very much hooked.
Their tongue is thick, round, and fleshy; which enables
some of them to articulate so distinctly. ‘Their claws
differ from most other birds, being directed two forward
and two behind.

These birds, in the wild state, feed principally on
fruit, grain, &c. They are very injurious to the orange
orchard, and other delicate fruit-trees, which they often
destroy by gnawing with their stroéng beak. In confine-
ment, the best food for them is stale white bread, soaked
in milk, or merely water ; beside which is given a mix-
ture of hemp and canary seed, and corn. With this

food they do not require any drinking water; but when
fed on seeds and dry cracker, of which they also eat —
freely, then they require water. A piece of sweet apple —

may be given them. They are best kept in tin cages,

as they generally gnaw the wooden ones. They are —

all very hardy birds, and will attain to an old age. The
Gray Parrot is said to live to a century.

Those which are mostly kept in cages, are the fol-
lowing :

GT

THE GRAY, OR AFRICAN PARROT.

This bird is of a fine ashy-gray color, with a red tail,
white face, and black bill. It is decidedly the best
species of all the parrots for its capability of talking,
whistling, &c., so perfect ; and is devoid of that un-
pleasant screeching, which some of the other parrots are
much in the habit of practicing. :

THE YELLOW-IIEADED GREEN PARROT,
OR AMAZON.

The head of this bird is all yellow ; bill, white ; body
all green, with a few blue and red feathers in the tail
and wing; shoulders, red. It is a native of South
America, and soon tamed, and learned to say almost
any thing. This is the next best to the Gray Parrot,
which we have just described.

THE COMMON YELLOW-HEADED PARROT.

This-bird is somewhat smaller than the last we spoke
of ; it is only yellow on the forehead ; but with some of
this species it is partly blue ; their bill is gray. They are
very active and lively birds, and learn to repeat a great
many words; but some of them are found to be noisy,
and addicted to screeching.

68

THE WEST INDIA PARROT.

There are several species of this parrot ; but they are
all dark green ; some of them havea red forehead ; some
a white forehead ; and some with a white forehead and
red throat, which latter are the most apt to learn.

The very great variety of the Green Parrots, renders
it impossible to describe them all.

There are very few of this color that will learn to
talk, with the exception of those we have already men-
tioned.

The small species of these birds are called Parrakeet ;
the most favorite of which are the red-faced ones (Love
Birds). They are but little larger than the Bullfinch.
Their color is light green; the tail feathers partly red;
front part of the head and throat is red; bill, flesh color.
The female is distinguished by the head and _ throat
being of a yellowish red. Although this bird cannot
learn to talk, we cannot but admire them for their
beauty and great attachment to each other. They must
be kept in pairs, for their affection is so great, that one
will not thrive well without a companion.

= P69

GENERAL REMARKS.

WHEREVER we have mentioned soaked bread,
we would recommend ,ro//s (stale), they being generally
of a better quality of flour, and not so sour. :

These rolls, split in two, and put into an oven, until
they become hard enough to be pounded, answer better
than biscuit or crackers.

Universal Food for Soft-Bill Birds.*

faste No. 1.— Two-fifths white bread (stale), well soak-
ed in water, and then pressed out ; two-fifths barley or oat-
meal ; one-fifth hard-boiled egg, chopped fine. The whole
to be mixed with milk and water, and made into a paste.
faste No. 2. — One-third white bread (stale), well soa-
ked in water, and then pressed out ; or biscuit pounded ;
one-third carrot, grated, and the juice squeezed out ; one-
sixth of hard-boiled egg and one sixth of bruised hemp-
seed. All mixed up and made into a paste. :
These pastes will agree with all soft-bill birds ; it
must, however, be made fresh every day. As a change
of diet, a little lean beef, boiled or raw, but scraped or
chopped very fine, may be added to the above paste.
Also, some dried currants, or raisins washed clean, and
chopped up fine, are very good for those that eat them.
A small addition of ants’ eggs is most excellent, especialy
for those birds that live solely on insects. From two to
six meal worms daily is also very good for them.
*By soft-bill birds we mean those that live on fruit, insects,
berries, &c. We may distinguish them by their long bill.

Seed birds live on all kinds of seeds, their bill is generally
_ thick and short.

70

CHARLES REICHE & BRO,,

No. 55 Chatham Street, New York,
9 Bowdoin Square, Boston, Mass.,
Importers and Dealers in all kinds of

RARE BIRDS, ANIMALS, REPTILES,

Ute t¢ ly be

ey Shells, Stuffed Birds and Curiosities.

Mr. Cus. REICHE is now located permanently in Europe for the
purpose of collecting CANARIES and other European Song Birds.
Also BIRDS OF PLUMAGE, as well as ANIMALS of ail kinds,
suitable for

Zoological Gardens, Menageries and Private Game Parks.

As we have exclusive contracts with the Bremen Line of Steamers, it
enables us to keep up our importations very regular, and dealers, as

well as the general public, can rely on obtaining the choicest Birds, and
at the Lowest Prices.

CONNECTED WITH ouR BOSTON STORE,

IS A

DWMepartment of TADTSZIDERMNMYT.

Those having Pet Birds or Animals die, and wishing to have them
preserved in a superior manner, can do so by forwarding them to us by
Express. When sent by strangers, a small remittance or aye reference
must be furnished.

A good assortment of STUFFED BIRDS constantly on hand,

71

WE HAVE CONSTANTLY ON HAND:

German and French, or Long
~ Breed Canaries,

Bullfinches, Trained and Un-

trained,

Nightingales,

Gold Finches,

Gray and Green Linnets,

Chaffinches,

Siskins,

African Finches in variety,

Java Sparrows, —

Thrushes,

Black Birds,

Starlings,

Mocking Birds, -

Troopials, e

Black Caps,
English Robins,
Sky Larks,
Wood Larks,
White Throat,
Purple Finch,
Song Sparrow,

Amanda, or Averdant,

Red and Blue Macaw,

Blue and Yellow Macaw,

White Cockatoo, |

Red and White Crested Cock-
atoo,

Leadbeattle Cockatoo,

Cockadilla,

Parrot, Ash Colored,
“Yellow Headed,
“ Half Yellow Headed,
“« West India,

Red Crested Parrot,

Whiskered Parrot,

Pavouan Parrot,

Great Green Macaw,

Great White Cockatoo,

Great Red Crested Cockatoo,

Parrakeets, Australian (or Shell),

& African (or Love

Birds),
ne West India,
ee South America.

The following Birds we are constantly buying for exportation.

Indigo, or Blue-Birds,
Blue Robin,
Oriole,

Yellow-bird,
Blue Jay,
Meadow. Lark,

Red-Bird, or Virginia Cardinal, Scarlet Tenager,

Nonpareil,

Red-winged Starling.

Tis ae

CHAS. REICHE & BRO.

Are the Sole Manufacturers of

REICHE’S PREPARED FOOD
For Mocking and other Soft Bill Birds.

Also Wholesale and Retail Dealers in

CANARY, RAPE, HEMP, MILLETT AND POPPY SEED.

CAGES,

GoLpD AND SILVER PLATED, Brass, BRoNzE, ENAMELLED

AND WoOoDEN,
Of all Shapes and Sizes, and adapted to all kinds of Birds,
Bathing Dishes, Cups,
Jars, Fountains,
Bottles, Nests,
Cuttle Fish, Gravel,

Perchwood, &e.

GOLD AND OTHER FISH,

Suitable for the Aquaria. Also,

AQUARIAS, FOUNTAINS, GLOBES, &c.

3
An

The public are respectfully invited to examine our stock.

CHAS. REICHE & BRO.

F. Stegen, Printer. Alfeld (Hanover).

tf it
i

Nt

TTL

9088 00035 969

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