L>.~>2 CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRDS. 



at liberty to choose the softest part of a hard plank : but Fritz being used to hard 

 knocks, and possessed of a callous back, is fast asleep in a surprisingly short time. 

 " Change cars " is shouted ; and he is up in a second, and out to see that his crates 

 of birds are not landed upside down. An extra mark (twenty-five cents) to the 

 faithful (when paid) railway-man, will insure that his birds are properly handled, 

 and carefully stowed away on the next train. 



When Bremerhafen, the seaport from which the North German Lloyd line of 

 steamers sail, is reached, the birds are sent to the steerage quarters, fed, packed, 

 and made ready for the voyage. 



Sharp eyes are required ; as thieves are ever ready, as at all seaport towns, to do 

 their work. A case-cover is easily slit, the slight wicker cage quickly smashed, and 

 a bird transferred to the coat-pocket : then the spitzbube (thief) walks off in a mincing, 

 innocent gait, whistling " Where was Moses when the light went out," or perhaps 

 some leading motive from Wagner's "Pilgrim Chorus." The trip, when made direct 

 from Bremerhafen, is comparatively easy as regards railway travel, but, when made 

 da London, the real trouble commences : for the route is circuitous ; and many 

 changes, both on car and by boat, are made necessary before reaching America. 

 Fritz must ever be on the alert, and has to " wrestle " with three different languages, 

 and as man}' different sets of custom-house officials, who at times believe the crates 

 are filled with gold watches instead of live Canaries. He must also take his chances 

 for getting spare time enough to feed his birds. As may be supposed, the many 

 changes and consequent rough handling tend to weaken the birds ; and extra care is 

 required. 



The quarters aboard ship vary. Sometimes Fritz and his birds are stowed below 

 in the coal-bunkers, again in the steerage, and sometimes (but how seldom !) are 

 assigned to a room by themselves. In the latter case he is in his glory, and considers 

 himself equally as good a man on the ship as the man they call Captain. He is, 

 however, prepared for the worst. After seeing that seeds, watering-cans, cleaning- 

 knives, and other utensils, are safely stowed away, he puts every thing in order for 

 the trip ; his first precaution being to see that the crates are made fast ; for other- 

 wise, in heavy weather, everything would break loose, and the effects be disastrous. 

 The crates are six feet high, two feet wide by three feet long, and are made fast by 

 being jammed closely together against the ship's side, and a stout plank securely 

 fastened from the ceiling to the deck against the outside case. 



Fritz's baggage is not burdensome, consisting of a mattress and blankets ; while a 

 small grip-sack contains his personal effects. This grip-sack usually partially con- 

 ceals a spare shirt, a pair of Sunday suspenders, and maybe a package of insect 

 powder. Toilet articles are dispensed with ; as he can use the fingers of one hand 

 as a comb, and make the other greasy hand act as substitute for a mirror. He is 

 usually put aboard the evening before the steamer is to sail, and his labor of pack- 

 ing and fastening keeps him busy until late at night. A hasty nap, and he is at 

 work. This first day's labor is easily done, as the ship lies steady at the dock. 



The German vessels, which now carry so many emigrants, afford very poor accom- 

 modations for the bird-man ; and his quarters are the least thought of. Fritz, at the 

 beginning of the trip, is solitary and alone, but can make friends as fast as any 

 traveller known : for a nice song Canary is always considered a handsome present ; 



