CHANGING THE COLOUR OF CANARIES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2719, 14 December 1889, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHANGING THE COLOUR OF CANARIES.

Tim following is from tho proceedings of tho liorlin Physiological Society: — "Starting with the observed fact thnt oanaries fed with cayenne pepper acquire a ruddy plumage, Dr. Sauermann has based upon it a scientific investigation of canaries, fowls, pigeon?, and other birds. From these wc obtain tho following results:—-Feeding' with pepper only produces an oit'eet when given to young birds before they moult: the colour of tho feathers of older birds cannot, be affected. Moi.-t.ure facilitates change of colour to a ruddy hue, which is again discharged under the influence of sunlight and eold. A portion of tho constituents of cayenne pepper is quite inactive, as for instance, pepperin and seve'al extractives; similarly tho red colouring matter alone of tho pepper has no effect on, tho colour of tho feathers. It is rather the triolein, which occurs in the popper in large quantities, togther with a characteristic pigment, whic.h brings about the change of colour by holdinsr the red pigment of the pepper in solutiou, Glycerine tnay be used iustead of triolein to bring about tho same result. The same statement holds irooil with regard to tho feeding of bird* with aniline colours. Tho red pigment of the pepper is also stored in the egg yolk as well as in tho feathers. Tho first appearance of tho pigment iu tho yolk may be observed like a coloured ring four days after the commencement of feeding with the pieinent dissolved in fat. After a further two day's feeding the wljoJo yolk is coloured,"