278 HABITS OF BIRDS. 



organ, and that these instructions have been accom- 

 panied by a motion of the head and body in accord- 

 ance with the time, which habit the birds also ac- 

 quire, and is, no doubt, of great use to them in re- 

 gulating their song. The canary-bird, whose song, 

 in its artificial state in Europe, is a compound of 

 notes acquired from other birds, is able to learn 

 the song of the nightingale, but is not able to exe- 

 cute it with the same power as the nightingale itself. 

 I have never heard one that sung it quite correctly, 

 but I have heard it approach near enough to prove 

 that, with more careful education, it might learn it 

 right. Those who have taken the most pains about 

 it, have been contented with placing under nightin- 

 gales young canaries, as soon as they can feed 

 themselves ; but such will necessarily have learned 

 part at least of their parent's song. The linnet and 

 linnet-mule are said to be able to come nearer the ex- 

 ecution of the nightingale, when properly instructed. 

 The best way would be to use an experienced hen 

 canary-bird, who will rear her young without the cock, 

 and to take the cock away before the young ones are 

 hatched : or to set the canary eggs under a hen 

 paired with a gold-finch, which, kept in a darkish situ- 

 ation, will probably not sing; to remove the cock, at 

 all events, if it sings, as soon as possible ; to place the 

 young birds very close to the singing nightingale ; 

 and, as soon as practicable, to remove the hen canary 

 also. The rearing of the canary-bird by hand, even 

 from the egg, has been accomplished by artificial 

 heat and unremitting care. Birds learn the song of 

 others most readily when they are not in song them- 

 selves, and when they are darkened arid covered, so 

 that their attention is not distracted ; for birds are 

 amused by what they see as much as we are, when 

 not alarmed by it. I had once a tame white-throat, 

 which, when let out of its cage, appeared to take 



