252 Bird-keep ing. 



every kind, and always sends them out in excellent 

 condition, and is most kind in giving valuable infor- 

 mation to those who desire to promote the health and 

 comfort of their birds. In the course of this work I 

 have referred many perplexing questions to him on 

 the subject of birds, about which I could not obtain 

 reliable information elsewhere ; and I gladly take this 

 opportunity of expressing my obligations to him for 

 his kind assistance. 



At my request, he has furnished me with the average 

 prices of the birds ordinarily sold as cage birds ; but 

 he tells me that it is impossible to fix a standard price 

 for birds of any kind, as it varies so much with the 

 supply in the market, and also depends upon the beauty 

 of form and plumage, and excellence of song, of the 

 respective birds. It varies, too, with the time of year, 

 and with the degree of acclimatization of some of the 

 more delicate foreigners. 



I append a list of the general prices of cages, food, 

 and other bird requirements, in the belief that this 

 will prove a valuable addition to a " Manual of Bird- 

 keeping." 



