THE COMMERCIAL VALUE OF BIRDS. 31 



beautiful melody they give forth makes them prime 

 favourites, and the trade in these songsters is generally 

 a brisk one. First and foremost of cage birds stands 

 the Canary, the domesticated descendant of the wild 

 Canaryfinch of the Canary Islands. Careful selection 

 in breeding and crossing have changed the colour of the 

 Canary and improved its song in a wonderful degree. 

 Germany and Belgium are the seat of the Canary- 

 breeding industry, and vast numbers of these little 

 songsters are sent from these countries to all parts of 

 the world. Societies have been formed for the special 

 benefit of Canary fanciers, who hold their periodical 

 shows, and strive in friendly rivalry to produce new and 

 finer breeds of birds and greater sweetness and variation 

 of song. Many homely birds are highly prized as cage 

 pets. The melodious Thrushes, the piping Bullfinches, 

 Linnets, Goldfinches, and Larks, have all their admirers. 

 Many persons gain a livelihood in catching, breeding, 

 and training these songsters, and the large amounts of 

 money some of these highly trained birds realise is 

 truly astonishing. We need scarcely allude to the 

 industry of cage making, and the manufacture of the 

 various appliances and foods which are being constantly 

 produced for the benefit of these little feathered 

 prisoners. In most parts of the world, the bird-catcher 

 may be met with wherever there is anything worth his 

 attention. Thousands of small birds are constantly 



