70 



IMPORTATION OF BIRDS 



keets, parrots of various species, cocka- 

 toos, shama thrushes, South American 

 cardinals, African siskins and bulbuls. 

 Of well-marked domesticated breeds 

 imported in large numbers, are the white 

 form of the Java sparrow, the yellow 

 variety of the shell parrakeet and the 

 pied variety of one of the weavers 

 known as the Japanese or Bengalese 

 nun. 



Birds of every size from the tiny sun- 

 bird, less than half as big as a canary, 

 and so delicate that it is fed on honey 

 and water with a little oatmeal, to the 

 largest birds such as the emu, rhea, 

 ostrich, vulture and maribou are among 

 the list of importations. The larger 

 and rarer birds are secured by men sent 

 out in the interest of Mr. Ruhe and of 

 his brother who has a similar business 

 in Germany. These men visit all parts 

 of the world and ship to Germany the 

 birds they secure. 



Zoological parks, private aviaries and 

 bird-dealers throughout the country are 

 supplied with whatever species are 

 needed through Mr. Ruhe's establish- 

 ment. Mammals of various kinds but 

 in both number and variety much fewer 

 than the birds are also imported. The 

 larger kinds, such as lions, tigers, ele- 

 phants and bears are not kept in Mr. 

 Ruhe's store, but upon reaching port are 

 sent direct to his "farm" on Long Island. 

 The top floor of the Grand Street building 

 is given up to monkeys, comprising 

 apes, rhesus monkeys, baboons, man- 

 drills and others, which are imported in 



larger numbers than other mammals. 

 Of the smaller quadrupeds guinea pigs 

 and white mice should be mentioned, 

 and among the reptiles is an occasional 

 lot of pythons or turtles. 



As a safeguard the Government main- 

 tains a careful inspection of all the birds 

 that come into the country, the inspec- 

 tors being specialists in ornithology 

 appointed bj- the Government. The 

 only restrictions made are in the cases of 

 the European starling and house spar- 

 row, which however are already thor- 

 oughly naturalized in this country, and 

 among mammals the destructive mon- 

 goose, the introduction of which into 

 the United States is rigidly guarded 

 against. 



An importer arranging for a ship- 

 ment of birds from abroad applies to 

 the authorities of the Department of 

 Agriculture at Washington for a permit, 

 stating the numbers and kinds of birds 

 and other animals expected, with name 

 of the vessel, port from which it is 

 coming and approximate date of arrival. 

 Because of the delicate nature of many 

 of the birds and the disastrous results 

 that might follow from exposure at the 

 docks preceding and during inspection, 

 the shipment is at once removed to the 

 importing house and the inspection 

 follows later. Complete records of the 

 numbers and species of birds imported 

 by the various dealers are made by the 

 inspector and forwarded to Washington 

 where they are kept on file for future 

 reference. 



