50 



exhibited " for sale," upon which no entrance fee, often not even a 

 commission is levied, or simply entrust a well-known breeder with 

 the order: "I want a very low roller," or "a high-going* singer," 

 or "one with as many new tours as possible ;" "send me the best 

 you can for so much cash ;" and in most cases satisfaction is assured. 

 In my humble opinion this is mainly due to the perfection to which 

 the quality of the breed has attained. Even fourth or fifth rate 

 birds, at corresponding prices of course, are deemed good value for 

 the price charged for them. Then there are numerous weekly or 

 monthly magazines, manuals, calendars, and new works on the fancy, 

 in which appear the advertisements of such fanciers who have really 

 superior stock to dispose of. and would not sell them to the dealers 

 as these rarely pay more than the hawker's figure. By hawkers I 

 mean those who buy any number of cocks totally unheard, which 

 they pick out by their color, and despatch in consignments of a few 

 thousands at a time to foreign parts. This low quality of German 

 song Canaries is rarely advertised and realizes but a low price. 



In a small " Annual of the Canary Friend " I have before me. I 

 find just twenty-five various offers from breeders, at prices from 

 about ten to thirty-five shilings each ; only one descends to eight 

 shillings, while two go up to forty shillings per bird. None of these 

 birds are likely to be exported, as they find a ready market in their 

 native land. In the same publication I find the announcements of 

 four seed merchants ; one offering the latest improvement in bird 

 whistles at four shillings each ; one recommending pure linen 

 Charpie, and five announcing the appearance of new literature. 



The body of the little work gives an alphabetical list of the more 

 successful prize winners of the past season, indicating the towns 

 where the larger shows were held, the number of firsts, seconds, and 

 cards won in each, and recording the winners of the specials, honors, 

 gold or silver medals, &o., ranking above the ordinary money prizes. 



Another portion of this Calendar gives names, dates, &c, of the 

 show fixtures for the ensuing year ; finally, full particulars of the 

 locality, strength, and progress of tome hundreds of Canary and 

 song bird clubs. 



In all this not one word appears about poultry, pigeons, rabbits, or 

 fancy mice, and all advertisements appertain to the fancy. The 

 Canary interest alone is represented, and supports the publication. 



