242 



OP THE CANARY, 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 country, seems now scarcely to be 

 known. % Prom the name, it appears that they came 

 from the Canary Islands, though Germany is the place 

 where they now chiefly are bred, and absolutely may 

 be considered as an article of traffic, which produces 

 no trifling sum by the sale. 



The canary bird, in its native islands, is totally dif- 

 ferent from those which Europeans see ; for, instead 

 of either bright or combined colours, its feathers are 

 all of a dusky grey. The high piercing notes of this 

 sweet little songster, are, by many persons, thought 

 too powerful for a cage, whilst others devote their at- 

 tention to their breeding, and for the benefit of those 

 we shall establish a few rules. 



In choosing the canary bird, those are always best 

 that appear with life and boldness, and stand erect 

 upon their perch ; not apt to seem frightened at every 

 thing that stirs, or with eyes that appear inanimate or 

 dim. 



Towards the end of March the cocks and hens should 

 be put together, in a room that has the benefit of the 

 morning sun, and, instead of glass, the windows should 

 be wired, as air is necessary to the preservation of their 

 lives : the floor should be kept remarkably clean, and 

 occasionally sifted over with dry gravel, or red sand ; 

 there should also be perches at proper distances, for 

 the birds to settle upon as they fly, and a large tree, in 

 a tub, in the middle of the apartment, in the branches 

 of which they may be able to form their nests : hair, 



