10 



BREEDING. 



The main object of the German breeders is either to produce 

 quantities of ordinary song birds for sale and export or, in smaller 

 numbers, superior stock for exhibition and home trade. For the 

 latter purpose they are trained to sing- whenever called upon by the 

 judges or vendors, and anywhere and everywhere where the singing- 

 contests are held. 



A full description of such bird shows will follow further on. 



I need hardly say there is no royal road to success in breeding, 

 but, although the little German hen is generally allowed to be a 

 better nurse than those of other countries, I will state at once that a 

 good deal of credit lies with the breeder himself, who assists in many 

 ways, and keeps his birds in the necessary health and condition to 

 enable them to produce the maximum of young vigorous stock. 



Different fanciers resort to different methods in the pursuit of 

 their hobby, as may be illustrated by describing the proceeding of two 

 ardent followers of the fancy personally known to the writer. Both 

 .aimed at producing quality only, but set to work in entirely different 

 ways. 



Mr. C. M., of Frankfurt, after disposing of his entire stock one 

 Christmas time, made soon after an entirely fresh start in the 

 breeding of prize song birds. He purchased of the best breeder then 

 known — a Mr. W. Trute, of St. Andreasburg, in the Hartz Mountains — 

 two first rate prize singers at the price of five pounds each. The 

 manner of purchasing these birds was one which would scarcely be 

 imitated in this country where we are all so fond of driving our own 

 bargains. The buyer sent to the seller two hundred marks with a 



