48 The Canary. 



in our way, for, in reply to our inquiry into this rather 

 delicate affair, we were very politely told that our friend 

 had nothing under thirty shillings apiece in this cage, 

 and that, while for particular individuals he should 

 want two, three, and as much as five and eight pounds 

 each ! At this we opened our eyes, and stared rather 

 widely, as you may suppose, not being as yet prepared 

 to give more than as many shillings for a canary. To 

 our untutored eyes there was little apparent difference 

 among them, but that there was such we had con- 

 vincing demonstration by seeing several ordinary work- 

 ing mechanics come in, and, picking them out, give 

 their two and three pounds for a bird, without the least 

 demur or hesitation. In fact, Mr. M assured me that 

 he had just sold three birds at the respective prices of 

 five, eight, and nine pounds each, whilst he had known 

 as much as twenty-four pounds sterling to be given for 

 one in its native country. Such prices, I need scarcely 

 say, did not suit our pocket, and were given only for 

 birds specially designed for exhibition. He had, how- 

 ever, others, which he had taken in exchange for those 

 newly imported, and which he could sell much cheaper ; 

 so with these we were fain to be content. Half a dozen 

 birds of this description, and which for the purposes of 

 breeding were, perhaps, little inferior to their higher- 

 priced brethren, were soon separated by the aid of his 

 magician wand from the rest, and drafted out from a 

 host of others into as many little black cages for our in- 

 spection. Proudly did they stretch out their long thin 

 necks and snake-like heads, as they stood erect upon 

 their perches, demanding our homage ! Truly, it was 



