THE CANAEY, 



CHAPTER I. 



HISTOET OF THE CANARY. 



This well-known songster, whose attractive qualities 

 of form, plumage, and song, claim for it a place in 

 «very household, had its origin in the bright and plea- 

 sant climate of the Canary Islands. It was intro- 

 duced into Europe in the commencement of the 

 sixteenth century, and its arrival is thus described: * 

 — " A vessel which, besides its merchandise, was 

 bringing a number of these birds to Leghorn, was 

 shipwrecked on the coast of Italy, opposite the island 

 of Elba, where these little birds, having been set at 

 liberty, took refuge. The climate being favorable they 

 increased, and would certainly have become naturalised, 

 had not the wish to possess them occasioned their 

 being caught in such numbers, that at last they were 

 extirpated from their new home. From this cause 



* Bechstein'S * History of Cage Birds,' with coloured plates. 

 Price 3^. 6d. Groombrido;e and Sons' edition. 



