36 
<;age and singing birds. 
tion the prize is awarded. Canary societies generally con- ^ I' 
sist of from twelve to eighteen members, each of whom on J' 
entrance puts up two or three pairs of fancy birds, and de- it 
posits a certain sum on each, and this forms the fund for ; j 
the prizes, and for carrying on the operations of the society, i 
It should be mentioned that no canary that is above a year ; 
old is eligible for a show bird, and that Norfolk and York- it 
shire are the counties from whence^ just before Christmas,.^ 2) 
the largest supplies of home-bred songsters are sent into the ^ 
London market. These are generally ordered by the dealers 
just as any other commodity woidd be, and sometimes many 
thousands arrive in the course of one week. For some time 
past the Norwich birds have borne the palm for beauty of ^ 
colour, trimness, liveliness, and freedom of song. Those 
from Yorkshire are not so handsom.e, either in form' or is 
plumage, neither are the}'- so trim and sprightly ; but they : ^ 
are stronger birds, and generally more steady and har- ■ si 
monious songsters. Holborn is the great canary quarter of ^ 
London; in and about St. Andrew's Street everj^ third or 
fourth house is occupied by a dealer, and those who desire 
to possess a first rate singer, should visit that classical spo" 
as soon after the arrivals from the countrj^ as possible. It is : . 
best to go by gaslight, when the birds are all on the q^li vive. j 
A few shakes of a rattle, made of a wooden box with some j 
peas inside, will set them off, and v/hen once the concert is | 
commenced each will strive to outdo the other, so that you j ^ 
will be able to judge of their powders. Do not, however, 
di cide too hastily, and examine the bird on which you fix ; ^ 
your choice before purchasing. It may, perhaps, have : ^ 
some defect in the plumage, which would deteriorate its ' ^ 
market value, although in no degree diminishing its worth ^ 
as a songster merely. Should the defect be merely a damaged ; j 
tail, it can be easily remedied : you have only to draw the ' 
defective feathers, and their place wall soon be supplied with ■ j 
new ones. Be sure to see that the legs and feet of your : , 
bird are clean and perfect ; and do not leave it to be sent 
home, but take it awa}^ with jow, if j^ou have to buy cage 
and all. You ought to get a good bird for about five shillings, 
and if you do this you can afford to give a shilling or so for : ^ 
the cage to take it home in. Some dealers will allow you to i 
Leave a deposit, to be returned when the cage is restored, l \ 
