CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRDS. 



an average lot of eleven hundred birds in ten hours ; but in heavy weather it 

 may be prolonged to twice that length of time. While the ship is driving before a 

 gale, or trying to fight against one. and performing more antics in her struggles 

 than a clown in the ring, and life is a burden to the poor, seasick passenger, Fritz is 

 obliged to stand up, and do a hard day's work, no matter how great the effort. 

 It is a task in itself to keep one's feet. Then, added to this, is a careful work : as 

 every little box must receive its correct portion of seed, and the nozzle of his 



Watering Birds. 



peculiar-shaped watering-can must be put through the narrow space into the tiny 

 water- pot. He can grasp no support ; as both hands are engaged, one holding the 

 row of seven birds, and the other the watering-can or seeds ; so his only way is to 

 brace with his feet, and follow the motions of the ship : his body is bent at all the 

 different angles known in geometry; and, when a quick lurch comes, he is often- 

 times hurled down among birds, seeds, and watering-cans. It is sometimes serious, 

 and again ludicrous, to witness the effect of some of these disasters, with fifteen or 

 twenty rows of birds capsized, and poor Fritz balanced on his left elbow in the 

 midst of the wreck, with perhaps the bird-seed filling his ears, and the watering- 



