6 THE CANARY BIRD. 



no precise account of such an introduction 

 until two centuries later. Bechstein, a Ger- 

 man author, states that, at the beginning of 

 the nineteenth century, a vessel containing a 

 number of these birds, destined for Leghorn, 

 was wrecked on the coast of Italy, opposite 

 to the island of Elba, where, on being set at 

 liberty, they took refuge. The climate being 

 favourable the birds increased, and soon be- 

 came a favourite Avith the bird-fanciers of 

 Italy. But, from the circumstance of none 

 but male birds having been thus conveyed, 

 it is to be concluded that the breed immedi- 

 ately became mixed, and the genuine charac- 

 teristics of the original species blended with 

 those of other tribes to which they had some 

 affinity. Among these the Siskin is said by 

 Buffon to be the only bird of which the male 

 and female propagate equally with those of 

 the male or female Canaries. Turner, who 

 published a botanical work in 1560, indicates 

 Spain as the source from whence England 

 was then supplied with the Canary, and like- 

 wise with the food proper for its nourishment. 

 He says, speaking of Phalaris Canariensis, 

 (Canary grass, an annual grass, cultivated for 

 its seed, which is the common food of the 

 Canary,) "The first tyme that ever I saw 

 thys herbe was in the citie of Come, where, 

 as the chefe Phisiciane of the Citie, no less 

 gentle than well learned, shewed vnto me, 

 and my felow master Johan Walker. After- 

 warde, I saw it in England taken for mil, for 

 they that brought Canary burdes out of 



