CANARY-BIRD. JQ3 



species, others are extremely beautiful 

 and marked with the various colours of 

 the male and female bird; and others are 

 again of a snow-white, being complete 

 albinos. The pied kind and the latter 

 species are the most esteemed, and from 

 their rarity, especially the last, are sold at 

 exorbitant prices. The cross-birds raised 

 from the Linnet, although the plainest in 

 feather, are preferable for song; since they 

 possess, by far, the strongest and most 

 melodious voices. The attempt is fre- 

 quently made to pair the hen Canary with 

 the English Bull-finch; but this though 

 occasionally succeeding, is always a mat- 

 ter of considerable difficulty; the Bull- 

 finch during the time of coupling, distend- 

 ing his bill and opening his mouth so wide, 

 as to excite the strongest terror in his 

 gentler and weaker companion. To en- 

 sure success in the matter, they should be 

 placed together a season in advance, and 

 kept in the same cage until the following 

 spring. Long association will then have 



