CANARY-BIRD. 61 



SECT. VIII. On the teaching Canaries an 

 artificial system of song. 



Among the various songsters of the 

 feathered tribe, none is so much a favour- 

 ite, nor so generally esteemed for the 

 sweetness, regularity and power of his 

 song as the Canary-bird. Among his 

 many excellent qualities, one of the most 

 striking perhaps, is his singular talent of 

 imitation, and his facility in acquiring all 

 the different changes and variations of an 

 air of music; but this only occurs when 

 young, and before his taste is formed for 

 the notes given to him by nature. The 

 system of tuition, which is either by a 

 flageolet, or most commonly by a serinette 

 or bird-organ, is very simple, and will re- 

 quire but little of the fancier's time and 

 attention. By these instruments they will 

 easily learn whole tunes. Among the 

 different methods pursued for this purpose, 

 I would recommend the following as the 

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