The Wild Canary — The Emperor. 19 



As they are naturally inhabitants of ^varm climates, 

 and made still more delicate by constant residence in 

 rooms, it is of the highest importance to keep these 

 birds in a warm equable temperature during winter, 

 and free from all cold draughts of air in summer, two 

 hours' exposure to the latter either in summer or winter 

 being sufficient not only to cause sickness, but certain 

 death. To keep canaries in a healthy and happy state, 

 it is desirable that the cage should be frequently hung 

 in brilliant day-light, or, if in a room, that it should 

 open towards the morning sun, which especially they 

 delight in, and which when bathing is as necessary as 

 it is agreeable to them. 



So attractive has been found the canary on account 

 of its pretty form and charming qualities of its mind, 

 that it is now kept and reared throughout the whole of 

 Europe, and even in Russia and Siberia. Indeed, as 

 Beckstein has justly remarked, '^the qualities of its 

 mind are as varied, or even more so than its plumage, 

 for amongst them it has been discovered, as amongst 

 quadrupeds and even men, some individuals are gay, 

 and others melancholy; some quarrelsome, others mild; 

 some intelligent, others stupid ; some with quick memo- 

 ries, others lazy; some greedy, others frugal; some 

 petulant, others gentle ; some ardent, others cold." 

 Our own aviary amply bears out this statement, and 

 proves what an infinite fund of pleasing recreation and 

 instructive amusement a very small collection of these 

 very beautiful birds will afford. Thus Buttercup is the 

 gayest of the gay, whilst Daisy will sit and mope upon 

 licr perch for hours together, immoveable as " patience 



