VARIETIES. 9 



ing with the Trapezius, is an indication of 

 the primitive state, the unsophisticated pro- 

 duce of nature being precise and geometrical. 



This bird derives its name from the resem- 

 blance it bears to the color and marking of 

 the green lizard. 



From the above evidences, and the simi- 

 larity which seems to exist between this bird 

 and the description of the greenfinch of the 

 Canary Islands, it is very probable that, 

 among the many varieties produced by cul- 

 tivation, or by pairing with other tribes, that 

 in this bird we may recognise the nearest 

 approximation to the original species. 



THE SPANGLED BACK. 



The canary known as the Spangled Backy 

 and formerly held in some estimation, will 

 show the same process as the Lizard, but 

 much broken up, an evident sign of degene- 

 ration : and is now only recognised as one 

 of the many varieties produced by cross- 

 breeding. 



In Italy, the canary is paired with the 

 citril-finch ; in Germany, with the linnet, the 

 greenfinch, the siskin, and the goldfinch. 

 The grey, the yellow, the blackish, and ches- 

 nut, or cinnamon canary, are the principal 

 varieties, and from their combination have 

 been produced other varieties, according to 

 Buffon, to the amount of twenty-nine ; but 

 this estimate is probably much under the fact* 



The variety called Cinnamon canary, is 

 among the most rare. 



