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ALL ABOUT YOUR
_Canary_
[Illustration: "Frenchy" the famous Canary Pirate]
PUBLISHED BY THE R. T. FRENCH COMPANY
ROCHESTER 9, NEW YORK
_A Word to the Reader_
At the turn of the century, the food business was in the "cracker
barrel" stage. Packaged foods were just beginning to make their
appearance in American grocery stores. It was during this period that
Mr. George J. French developed the idea of marketing bird seed in
packages.
Mr. French, then President of The R. T. French Company, had raised caged
birds for many years as a hobby, and he knew that a clean, dependable
packaged bird food would be welcomed by canary lovers. The new product
was an immediate success. The sale of branded bird seed in packages
brought Mr. French an increasing flood of letters from bird owners which
he carefully answered himself.
In 1925, using the pen name "Bird," he wrote the original French's Bird
Book. As this latest version, "All About Your Canary," is written,
French's Bird Seed and Biscuit--the pioneer in its field--is the largest
selling bird seed in America.
Copyright 1951 by
THE R. T. FRENCH COMPANY
Lithographed in U.S.A.
_Canary Isles to Crystal Palace_
[Illustration: Frenchy]
Lying off the northwest coast of Africa are two small groups of islands,
the Canary Islands and the Islands of Madeira. These tiny specks of land
are the habitat of the little green finch, or wild canary.
The song of these canaries so appealed to sailors who visited the
islands that quantities of the colorful birds were captured and carried
back to Europe. By the early 16th century, these song birds were prized
possessions of many noblemen.
Today the sweet song of the canary is enjoyed all over the world. In the
patient hands of breeders, the canary has evolved into many forms and
colors. By 1900 there were twenty-seven distinct varieties and types of
canary birds.
In Germany there is the famous Roller singing bird. There is also the
peculiar Dutch bird with all its feathers turned the wrong way, the
round-shouldered Belgian and Scotch Fancies, and the beautiful English
birds--the Lancashire Coppy with its great crest, the Yorkshire, the
Norwich, and the Border Fancy. Some, like the London Fancy which had
exquisite orange and black markings on the head and tail, unfortunately
are already extinct.
The British, who breed their birds mainly for beauty of plumage and
form, are among the greatest fanciers in the world. They have hundreds
of societies organized for the purpose of perfecting particular types of
birds. Regular shows are held all over the United Kingdom. Dozens of
professional judges are required for the two large shows in the Royal
Horticultural Hall, Westminster. In December 1948, hundreds of visitors
were turned away from the Crystal Palace for lack of room when the
National Exhibition staged a record showing of 5430 birds. A second huge
exhibit at the Crystal Palace in early 1949 was also filled to capacity.
The majority of British fanciers are working men who raise canaries as a
hobby. Championship birds frequently sell for high prices. At one
exhibition £100 was refused for a canary.
The German breeders were the first to organize the sale of canaries on a
large scale. In the years following World War I, German bird brokers
bought canaries from thousands of individual breeders, collected them at
port cities, and shipped them to New York. The birds were sold so
cheaply that even after paying an import duty of 50 cents a bird the New
York wholesalers could resell them profitably for less than $2.00 each.
These birds were the marvelous singers one used to buy for $5.00 or
less. Needless to say, the German exporters controlled the popular
market. When importations from Germany were halted by World War II,
American breeders stepped into the breach. It is doubtful that our
fanciers will ever give up this interesting and profitable hobby.
The other great German contribution to the canary hobby was the
development of the roller singer. The first rollers to receive
recognition were those developed some years prior to 1890 by a poor
German miner named Trute. The birds which he bred and trained in his
spare time were the ancestors of the famous "Trute strain." Erntzes,
Seiferts, and Volkmans were other German pioneers. Over the years since,
the roller singer has become popular everywhere.
There is a vast difference between the song of the natural chopper and
the roller singer. The natural chopper might be likened to a folk
singer--the roller to an operatic star. The chopper's song is a free,
natural expression of happiness which anyone can appreciate; while the
roller's song, like the operatic aria, is best understood and loved by
listeners who have developed a keen ear for subtle distinctions in
expression and tone.
Rollers sing from their throats with their beaks almost closed. The
roller's song is actually unnatural in that it is not characteristic of
the wild canary. It has become a trait, however, as a result of endless
training and care in selective breeding. The roller's song is composed
of rolls or "tours" of differing cadence and pitch which are things of
beauty to the hobbyist who has cultivated an ear for them. Low pitched
tones are considered most valuable. The more common tours are called
Hollow Roll, Schockel, Hollow Bell, Water Roll, Glucke, Bell Glucke,
Water Glucke, Bell Roll, and Flute.
The chopper canary's song is natural. The standards set up for the
chopper require only that he be a free and frequent singer; have a sweet
tone; be a pretty bird from the standpoint of feathering, color and
form; and be lively and energetic. A chopper sings with open beak, head
back, throat swollen--the picture of happiness.
CANARIES FOR COMPANIONSHIP
There is gladness for every member of the family in the living, loving,
happy companionship of a canary. A canary in the home helps to build
character in children. It teaches kindness. Its care gives the boy or
girl a feeling of responsibility. Interest in Nature is encouraged.
Imagination is developed. Children acquire a protective instinct that
overcomes their tendency to mischievous cruelty. When the children have
left home, a pair of canaries will do much to overcome Mom's and Dad's
loneliness.
In the sick room or the hospital, in the home for the aged, the
schoolroom--in fact, almost any place where the joy of loving
companionship is important--a happy, singing canary will do much to
brighten the hours. You may know of someone who needs such
companionship.