222 



PIPING BULLFINCHES. 



Spaniards found them so profitable a trade, that an order was 

 issued for either destroying all the hens that were taken, or 

 setting them at liberty, that the breed might be confined to 

 the islands. The trade in Canary birds is now much greater 

 than it was then, though entirely removed from the original 

 spot. They are reared in Germany and other parts of Europe, 

 by people who bring them over to this country in great num- 

 bers every Spring. 



About thirty years ago a very industrious people, the Tyro- 

 lese, were the chief providers. They brought over every year 

 nearly two thousand, which they carried all the way in cages 

 on their backs, and made a good livelihood by selling the best 

 at five shillings a-piece. Since then the trade has, we have 

 reason to believe, still further increased. 



Though not very hardy, Canaries might possibly be na- 

 turalized in our country, by putting their eggs in the nests 

 of Sparrows, Chaffinches, or other similar birds. The ex- 

 periment has been partially tried in Berkshire, where a 

 person for years kept them in an exposed aviary out of 

 doors, where they seemed to suffer no inconvenience from the 

 severest weather. 



But this singing-bird trade is not confined altogether to 

 Canary birds ; Piping Bullfinches, so called from being taught 

 to pipe different tunes, forming a considerable branch of it. 



In the month of 

 June the young 

 ones, which are 

 sought for in the 

 nests of wild birds, 

 are taken when 

 about ten days old, 

 and brought up by 

 a person who, by 

 care and atten- 

 tion, so completely 

 tames them that 

 they become per- 

 fectly docile and 

 obedient. At the 



Bullfinch 



