THE SPARROW KIND. 1^1 



disturbed ; and it should be fed every two hours, at farthest, with 

 sheep-heart and egg minced very fine, mixing it with meal-worm* 

 However, the first food must be worms, ants, caterpillars, and flies 

 You must, to feed the bird, take it in your hand, and open the bill 

 with a stick made thick at one end, giving it the insect, or four or 

 five bits of food as big as peas, to entice it to eat. Its common food 

 should be mixed with ants, so that when the bird goes to pick up the 

 ants, it may pick up some of that also. The nightingale, when cageo', 

 begins to sing about the latter end of November, and continues its 

 aong till June. 



CHAPTER IV. 



OF THE CANARY-BIRD AND OTHER HARD-BILLED SINGING-BIRDS. 



THE Canary-bird is now become so common, and has continued 

 so long in a domestic state, that its native habits, as well as its native 

 country, seem almost forgotten. Though by the name, it appears 

 that these birds came originally from the Canary Islands, yet we have 

 it only from Germany, where they are bred up in great numbers, and 

 sold into different parts of Europe. At what period they were brought 

 into Europe is not well known ; but it is certain that about a century 

 ago they were sold at very high prices, and kept only for the amuse- 

 ment of the great. They have since been multiplied in great abun- 

 dance ; and their price is diminished in proportion to their plenty. 



In its native islands, a region equally noted for the beauty of its 

 landscapes and the harmony of its groves, the Canary-bird is of a dus- 

 ky gray colour, and so different from those usually seen in Europe, 

 that some have even doubted whether it be of the same species. With 

 us, they have that variety of colouring usual in all domestic fowl* ; 

 some white, some mottled, some beautifully shaded with' green; bjt 

 they are more esteemed for their note than their beauty, having a high 

 piercing pipe, as indeed all those of the finch tribe have, continuing 

 for some time in one breath without intermission, then raising it high- 

 er and higher by degrees, with great variety. 



It is this that has rendered the Canary-bird, next to the nightingale, 

 the most celebrated songster ; and, as it is more easily reared than 

 any of the soft-billed birds, and continues its song throughout the year, 

 it is rather the most common in our houses. Rules, therefore, have 

 been laid down, and copious instructions given, for breeding these birds 

 in a domestic state ; which, as a part of them may conduce towards 

 the natural history of the bird, I will take leave to transcribe. 



In choosing the Canary-bird, trose are best that appear with life 

 and boldness, standing upright upon the perch, like a ? par row-hawk, 

 and not apt to be frighted at every thing that stirs. If its eyes look 

 cheerful and not drowsy, it is a sign of health ; but on the contrary, if 



VOL. Ill N 



