102 CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRDS. 



The Yellow-birds are probably trapped in larger numbers than any of our native 

 birds, and in the large cities in the proper season may be seen exposed for sale in 

 any of the principal markets or on street-corners. Unlike the majority of freshly 

 trapped birds, they take naturally to the cage, and eat readily as soon as food is 

 offered. The seeds which the Yellow-bird eats in his wild state are the lettuce, 

 thistle, and hemp. In confinement he will thrive on maw or poppy seeds, millet 

 and canary mixed, which should be varied occasionally by the addition of a few 

 grains of hemp. 



It is probably owing to the great frequency with which they are seen in their 

 wild state that they are not more frequently seen in the cages of bird-lovers. They 

 make most desirable cage-birds, and the number of tricks which they are capable 

 of learning cannot be surpassed by the best-educated birds known ; and they rank 

 ahead of the European birds of the same class in the intelligence displayed. To 

 show what they are capable of doing, the following feats are related of a troop 

 of trained Yellow-birds which travelled for many seasons throughout the country. 

 They were a source of wonder wherever exhibited, and the means of considerable 

 revenue for their owner. The troop consisted of eight birds : one appeared dead, 

 and was held up by the claws or tail without exhibiting any signs of life ; the 

 second stood on its head with its claws in the air ; the third imitated a Dutch milk- 

 maid going to market with pails on her shoulders ; the fourth mimicked a Venetian 

 girl looking out of a window ; the fifth appeared as a soldier, and mounted guard as 

 a sentinel ; the sixth acted as a cannoneer, with a cap on its head, a musket on its 

 shoulder, and a match in its claw, and discharged a small cannon. The same bird 

 acted also as if it had been wounded. It was wheeled away in a barrow, to convey 

 it, as it were, to the hospital, after which it flew away before the company. The 

 seventh turned a windmill ; and the last bird stood in the midst of fireworks, which 

 were discharged all around it, without betraying any signs of fear. The usual 

 tricks of making them draw water from a well by means of a thimble attached to a 

 string, and drawing their seed in a diminutive wheelbarrow, are commonly seen. 



They make very sociable aviary-birds, and live in perfect peace with the 

 remainder of the family. Their natural tameness permits one to allow them the 

 freedom of the room, and they betray no fear at the approach of their master : 

 after a few lessons in taking seeds from the hand, they gain confidence, and become 

 apt pupils, learning quickly the more difficult tricks. 



The different styles of cages in which they may be seen are numerous and 

 varied. The poor owner who cannot afford a costly brass cage will be apt to make 

 an aged basket or box, with a woven-string front, answer all purposes. The best 

 styles of cage are the round or square, painted, or all brass Canary-cages. 



When these birds are dumpish or sick, feed crushed hemp. Keep them warm, and 

 add a few drops of paregoric to the drinking-water. A bath may be given every 

 day. 



