490 Management of Canaries. [October, 



we rear it with pleasure, because we are able to instruct it. It leaves 

 the melody of its own natural tone to listen to the melody of our 

 voices and instruments. It apj^lauds, it accompanies us, and repays 

 the pleasure it receives with interest, while the nightingale, more 

 proud of its talent, seems desirous of preserving it in all its purity, 

 at least it appears to attach very little to ours, and it is with great dif- 

 ficulty it can be taught any of our airs. The canary can speak and 

 whistle ; the nightingale despises our words, as well as our airs, and 

 never fails to return to its own wild wood notes. Its pipe is a mas- 

 terpiece of nature, which human art can never alter nor improve; 

 while that of the canary is of a model of more pliant materials, which 

 we can mould at pleasure; and therefore it contributes in a much 

 greater degree to the comforts of society. It sings at all seasons, 

 cheers us in the dullest weather, and adds to our happiness by amus- 

 ing the young, and delighting the recluse, charming the tediousness 

 of the cloister, and gladdening the soul of the innocent captive." 



Except in the breeding season, the male canaries should be kept 

 alone in separate cages, which, whatever the shape, ought not to be 

 less than eight inches in diameter and a foot in hight, with two 

 sticks placed across for the bird to perch on. The females may be al- 

 lowed to range the room with one wing clipped, or, what is better, 

 kept in large cages ; where, from having plenty of exercise. Their 

 health and strength are better preserved. In the small cages, glass 

 vases should be placed on the outside, at the extremities of the lower 

 stick, to hold the food and water. These may be surmounted with a 

 cap of tin, or something of the kind, to prevent the seed from being 

 so easily scattered. Cleanliness being a great preservative against 

 most of their disorders, the bottom of the cage should be made to 

 draw out, that it may more easily be cleaned and covered with sand. 

 This should be done every day or at least several times a week. — 

 These tender birds, being natives of a warm climate, and becoming 

 more delicate instead of hardier from being kept in the house, re- 

 quire a temperature analagous to that of their native climate. They 

 must be protected from the cold. But in the summer it is proper to 

 place them in the open air, and they enjoy it very much. Never do 

 they sing so gaily as on fine days, and their cages should therefore 

 be placed at the open window, that they may have the advantage of 

 the light and warmth of the sun, which is particularly serviceable to 

 them while bathing. 



