Where the Canary Birds come from

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There is an association in Philadelphia, composed of about thirty Germans, who aim at improving the breed of canary birds, and last month they published their thirteenth annual report. From that it appears that the bird sales in Philadelphia are confined to Germans, and amount to $40,000 annually, and three-quarters ofthat sum is derived from the sale of canaries. The common or original canary is of the least value, and sells at about $2 apiece ; the improved kinds bring from $8 to $10 apiece, and are from Central Europe. The great majority of these birds are obtained from Belgium, where they are bred in houses by the peasants, who raise them as a pastime. They are what are called " long " and "short" breeds. Birds of the long breed are procured from Brussels, Antwerp and Dietz, where they sometimes obtain extravagant prices. Their cost depends upon the color and shape, the pure golden yellow being the most esteemed. They are only used for the purpose of breeding, and oftentimes sell for $3( a pair. The short breed is raised by the people of the Hartz mountains. Next to the Belgian, the French bird is most prized

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