CANARY-BIRD. 23 



and flew away before the spectators. A 

 seventh gracefully turned a small wind- 

 mill; and the eighth bird stood amidst a 

 display of various kinds of fireworks with- 

 out betraying the slightest signs of fear. 



A second exhibition of this kind, more 

 curious from the greater number of the 

 performers, took place in London during 

 the year 1820. The ingenious artist and 

 owner was a Monsieur Dijon. The ex- 

 hibited troupe consisted of twenty-four Ca- 

 naries, who all performed numerous feats. 

 One of these represented a company of 

 soldiers. They had a small camp, tents 

 and other martial equipage; stood and re- 

 lieved guard; marched and counter-march- 

 ed; and went through various evolutions. 

 At last one of the company deserted, was 

 pursued by a guard, brought back, and 

 seemingly sentenced to be shot. The 

 courageous little bird submitted, hero-like, 

 to his fate, received the real fire of his 

 companions from their little mechanical 

 muskets, and fell apparently dead before 



