214 The Canary Book. 



fully three miles from the town, my enthusiasm brought me up 

 to time. When I reached his house I found several men waiting 

 the arrival of the birds, all entire strangers to myself, but 

 apparently eager enthusiasts. I found from their observations 

 that the majority of them were old " practical hands," and being 

 at that time a mere stripling myself, I listened to their con- 

 versation in profound silence, in the hope of extending nly bird 

 knowledge, which was then somewhat limited. In the course of 

 a quarter of an hour the birds arrived, and I was greatly amused 

 bo observe the eager, anxious expression of face that some of 

 these men immediately assumed ; all was silence in a moment, 

 and eyes were peering in at every crevice and loophole in the 

 cage in which the birds were, to catch a glimpse of the envied 

 occupants, as Joe, in his usual cool and calculating manner, 

 removed the covering that concealed them from view. This 

 done, a scene of unusual excitement, bustle, and commotion 

 followed, a little confusion, and a terrible clamour of tongues; 

 in the meantime Joe produced two or three smaller cages, 

 and said, "Stand back a bit, and I'll catch them and put them in 

 here, where you can get a better look at them." This request 

 was readily acceded to, and presently out came the enchanters 

 and enchantresses. No sooner had they settled upon their 

 perches and given themselves a " pull up," when several voices 

 were heard exclaiming, " How much for this ?" and " How much 

 for that P" In answer to these eager interrogatories came the 

 quiet and patient rejoinder, " How much is it worth ?" One 

 replied " I'll give so much," and another would offer so much 

 more, and in this manner what were considered the " pick of the 

 flock " were disposed of. 



I lingered by in silence until all appeared satisfied, when I 

 ventured to ask the price of a noble yellow hen with immense 

 shoulders, a nice sleek head, good neck, legs, &c., which had 

 excited the mirth of all present, and not a few were the witti- 

 cisms that were levelled at the poor unoffending object. One said 

 it was a "young camel," another that it was a "Richard the 

 Third," but all appeared agreed that it was naturally deformed, 

 except myself, and I certainly was the only one who appeared to 

 have the least desire to possess it. Green well tried to dissuade 



