BIRDS. 2G9 



at farthest, with sheep's heart and egg minced very fine, mixing 

 it with meal-worms. However, the first food must be worms, 

 ants, caterpillars, and (lies. 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 insects, 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 caged, begins 

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

 till June. 



CHAP. IV. 



OF THE CANAUY-BIRD, AND OTHER HARD-BILI.ED SINGING BlttUB. 



The Canary-bird is now become so common, and has con- 

 tinued 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 Ca- 

 nary Islands, yet we have it originally 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 amusement 

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

 dance ; and their price is diminished in proportion to theii 

 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 dusky 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 fowls ; some white, some mottled, some 

 beautifully shaded with green ; but they are more esteemed for 

 their note than their beauty, having a high piercing pipe, as in- 

 deed all those of the finch tribe have, continuing for some time 

 in one breath without intermission, then raising it higher and 

 higher by degrees, with great variety. 



z3 



