FANCIERS’ JOUENAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 
681 
with nuts ; all seem to join with one accord into the song of 
Autumn, sung by all the sweet voices in nature. But here 
comes a letter from Tommy Ticklebee ; he wants to know 
“ whether he is entitled to all the privileges of a regular 
subscriber, as he wishes to secure subscriptions for the Jour- 
nal His father being a regular subscriber, most undoubt- 
edly he is. We are glad to see the young people take such 
an interest in the advancement of the Journal. Some of 
them are working quite hard to secure subscribers. They 
want a weekly, and we know of no better way in which they 
can earn money for the holidays. 
(For Fanciers’ Journal.) 
THE AMERICAN BLUE JAY. 
A very noisy fellow is the American blue jay, as he flits 
through the dark woods, ever and anon uttering the harsh 
disagreeably-sounding noise for which lie is particularly 
characterized, lie is a very handsome bird also, with his 
light blue crest and smooth, shining coat of the same color. 
The wing coverts are of a beautiful blue, barred with black, 
and ending in white tips. Though in his wild state we sel- 
dom hear musical notes issuing from the blue jay’s throat, 
yet in captivity he will sometimes burst into a song full of 
sweet sounds and musical notes. He delights in uttering 
the harsh notes of the hawk. The blue jay is a most mali- 
cious thief ; he robs the nests of his peaceable neighbors, 
sucking the eggs and frequently devouring the young. When 
flying about the blue jay appears to be quite a large bird, 
but when stripped of his plumage he is a very little larger 
than the robin, They feed principally on fruit and nuts, 
but are also very partial to animal food. In confinement 
the blue jay shows great affection for its master. P. L. 
VERMIN ON CANARY BIRDS. 
It is now the season when Canary birds are imported from 
Germany to this country, and when those who love the 
sweetest of all songsters make their purchases. It is for 
these reasons that we write this article to caution persons 
who desire to obtain these little pets. 
We learn by report that a lot of Canary birds was re- 
ceived in New York a few weeks ago in bad condition, being 
diseased and filled with vermin. We have also noticed that 
they are being offered for sale in the market at a less price 
than last year. The price now asked in the large bird stores 
is three dollars, in some of the smaller stores the prices range 
from three to five and eight dollars. Our judgment is that 
the best birds can be bought of responsible dealers at three 
and four dollars apiece, but for two reasons it is well to wait 
until after the first of November before purchasing. 
One reason is, because the birds are now young and have 
not fully acquired their song. The other reason is, because 
if you buy a diseased or lousy bird you will repent of your 
bargain at any price. 
As to lice on a bird that is kept in a cage, they are an in- 
tolerable pest. If they are not gotten rid of they will stop 
his song and at last destroy his life. We have known birds 
to be almost literally eaten up by them, and it is only by 
faithful and constant attention for weeks that they can be 
exterminated. The cage must be thoroughly cleansed and 
scalded, the bird must then be taken and his feathers filled 
with a German insect powder that comes for the purpose, 
and every day afterward, at evening, a white cloth should be 
put on the cage, taken off, and shaken out the window or 
over the fire before you go to bed, replaced, removed, and 
shaken again before daylight in the morning. This is to be 
followed up closely until not a louse is lift. If your bird 
has not moulted well, is dumpish and does not sing, he is, 
without doubt, lousy. — Ex. 
POULTRY SHOWS FOR 1874 & 1875. 
No shows will be entered on this list until we are officially notified by 
the Secretary. 
Middlesex Poultry Association. Lowell, November 17, 18, 
and 19. E. T. llowell, Sect. Premium IAst received. 
New England Poultry Club. Worcester, Mass., December 
1, 2, 3, and 4, 1874. G. H. Estabrook, Secretary. 
The Eastern Pennsylvania Poultry Association. Doyles- 
town, Pa., December 8, 9, 10, and 11, 1874. Theo. P. 
Harvey, Secretary, Doylestown, Pa. 
Connecticut State Poultry Society. Hartford, Conn., De- 
cember 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19,1874. J. S. Gilmore, Cor. Sec. 
Central Poultry Association of Pennsylvania. Tamaqua, 
December 15, 16, 17, and 18. Thos. D. Boone, Secretary. 
Premium List received. 
Meadville Poultry and Columbarian Association. Mead- 
ville, Dec. 22, 23, 24, and 25, 1874. A. McLaren, Sec. 
Northwestern Illinois Poultry Association. Polo, Decem- 
ber 22 to 25, inclusive. D. L. Miller, Secretary. Pre- 
mium List received. 
Chantauqua County Poultry Association. Jamestown, De- 
cember 15, 16, 17, and 18. A. G. Parker, Secretary. 
Fanciers’ Pigeon and Poultry Association. Assembly Build- 
ings, Philadelphia, December 17 to 23, inclusive. C. C. 
Gudknecht, Secretary, 133 West Norris Street. 
Pennsylvania State Poultry Association. Assembly Build- 
ings, Philadelphia. From December 28, 1874, to January 
2, 1875. Capt. J. L. Walters, Secretary. 
Maryland State Poultry Association, Baltimore, Jan. 5, 6, 7, 
and 8, 1875. S. H. Slifer, Secretary. 
Lehigh Yalley Poultry Association. Allentown, Pa., Jan- 
uary 5, 6, 7, and 8, 1875. John H. Hickman, Secretary. 
Premium List received. 
Sangamon Poultry Association. Springfield, III., January 
12, 13,14, 15, and 16, 1875. Frank McConnell, Secretary. 
Maine Poultry Association. Portland, January 12, 13, 14, 
and 15, 1875. Fred. Fox, Secretary, Portland, Maine. 
Western Pennsylvania Poultry Society. Pittsburg, January 
13 to 20, 1875, inclusive. R. F. Shannan, Secretary. 
Ithaca Poultry and Pet Stock Association. Ithaca, January 
20, 21, and 22, 1875. C. V. Fowles, Secretary. 
Massachusetts Poultry Association. Boston Music Hall, 
January 27 to February 4, 1875. Wm. B. Atkinson, Sec- 
retary. 
Western New York Poultry Society. Buffalo, New York, 
February 10 to 17, 1875. Geo. W. White, Secretary. 
Rhode Island Poultry and Columbarian Society. Provi- 
dence, February 16, 17, 18, and 19, 1875. James L. 
Bullock, Corresponding Secretary. 
Wisconsin State Poultry Association. Milwaukee, Febru- 
ary 26 to Mar. 4, 1875, inclusive. Richard Valentine, Sec. 
Old Colony Poultry Association. Loring W. Buffert, Sec- 
retary. 
Southern Pennsylvania Poultry Association of York, Pa. 
January 20, 21, and 26, 1875. C. H. Fry, Secretary. 
Missouri Valley Poultry Association. St. Joseph, Mo., 
December 8, 9, and 10, 1874. Harry Carter, Secretary. 
Central New York Poultry Association. Utica, January 
6 to 13, 1875, inclusive. L. B. Root, Cor. Sect. 
ADVERTISEMENTS 
From reliable parties, on any subject interesting to Fanciers, will be 
inserted at the following rates : 
For one to two months, 20 cents per line. 
“ three to five months 1 7% “ 
“ six to eight months, 15 “ 
“ nine to eleven months, 12 “ 
“ twelve months 10 “ 
CHANGED AS OFTEN AS DESIREO. 
No extra charge for cuts or display. Transient advertisements, cash 
in advance ; six to twelve months, quarterly in advance. 
About 12 words make a line, and 12 lines make an inch of space. 
