EUROPEAN FINCHES. 55 



introduced into Europe about the beginning of 

 the sixteenth century ; it is now almost found 

 everywhere In the splendid mansion and in 

 the humble cottage, its enlivening and delightful 

 melody is heard alike in both, and its little wants 

 are administered too by the hard, horny hands 

 of the artisan in his cot, and the soft and delicate 

 tapering fingers of the fair one, in her bower. It 

 is loved and cherished in the palace and in the 

 hovel ; and in the Azores and some places on the 

 Mediterranean, the breeding and rearing of this 

 little bird constitute the principal support of 

 many of the poor inhabitants. 



Although the climate of New England is not 

 the most favorable in the world for this bird, and 

 it is affected by the changes of it in a domestic 

 state, in common with other animals, there is 

 a very erroneous opinion as to the degree of 

 warmth necessary for it in the winter. Our rooms 

 are kept in general too warm for the health of the 

 inmates, and the Canary hangs above, where the 

 temperature is several degrees higher. Indeed, I 

 have been told by some, when too late to be 

 remedied, that they actually covered over their 

 cage with a thick cloth, and hung it over the 

 stove as night approached. The consequence 

 is, that the poor bird not only suffers, but is 



