CANARIES: THEIR CARE AND MANAGEMENT. 



By Alexander Wetmoke, Assistant Biologist, Division of Biological 

 Investigations, Bureau of Biological Survey. 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 



Introduction 1 



History 2 



Varieties 3 



Cages 5 



Care of cages. 7 



Indoor and outdoor aviaries 8 



Food 9 



Bathing 10 



Molt 11 



Color feeding 12 



Page. 



Breeding 13 



Sex and age 15 



Vermin 16 



Care of feet and bill 17 



Diseases and injuries 17 



Broken limbs 18 



Loss of feathers about head 18 



Respiratory troubles 19 



Intestinal complaints 19 



Bibliography 20 



INTRODUCTION. 



AMONG THE BIEDS kept for household pets none is more 

 common or better known than the canary. So simple are its 

 requirements in the way of food and care that it needs little 

 attention, and because of its pleasing songs and interesting habits it 

 is a universal favorite. Readily adaptable to cage life, canaries dis- 

 play little of the fear shown by wild birds in captivity, and the ease 

 with which they may be induced to nest and rear young adds to their 

 popularity. 



Canaries have been domesticated for several hundred years and, 

 though more common in western Europe and the United States than 

 elsewhere, have been carried over practically the entire civilized 

 world. In England and Germany there are hundreds of canary 

 breeders and many avicultural societies. Several periodicals deal- 

 ing solely with cage birds are published there, and in the larger cities 

 bird exhibitions are held annually. Similar activities in the United 

 States, while of younger growth, are making considerable progress. 



During the 10-year period prior to 1915 more than 3,250,000 cana- 

 ries were imported into the United States, mainly from Germany 

 and England. With the continuance of the World War the number 

 brought in decreased steadily, until it fell from an average of more 

 than 1,000 birds per day in 1914 to about 10,000 for the year 1918. 

 Importations from Germany practically ceased, and comparatively 

 few birds were to be obtained from England, so that dealers were 

 forced to look to the Orient, mainly to China, for the small number 

 secured. This depression continued until 1920, but with return to 

 more normal conditions in 1921, about 70,000 were imported, and in 

 1922 more than 150,000, largely from the former sources in Europe 

 as well as the Orient. 



Canaries seem to thrive in any climate where not exposed to too 

 severe weather conditions, and in spite of the long period they have 



