290 THE CANARY. 



times sing so long, and with such vigour, as to burst the large 

 blood-vessels of the lungs, and thus fall off the perch in the 

 midst of their song, and die instantly. 



In spring, when excited to pairing by the constant invitation 

 of her mate, the female utters a few harsh, unconnected notes. 

 In the case of one which is too old to breed, these notes are 

 sometimes heard throughout the year. 



The Canary is remarkable also for its good ear and memory, 

 and its capability of reproducing all sounds, of whatever species. 

 The variety of its ordinary song, indeed, arises from the fact 

 that it imitates the songs of all birds which it has heard when 

 young ; and it will also learn to execute two or more airs, or 

 tunes, which it has been instructed as above described, in 

 proper time and tune. Instances have also been known in 

 which it has been taught to repeat short words distinctly, to 

 distinguish names, colours, letters, and numbers, and to per- 

 form certain actions at the word of command. I once saw a 

 female, in the possession of a person named Jeantot, of Befort, 

 in Alsace, which selected from an alphabet, and placed in order, 

 the letters of certain words ; added, subtracted, and multiplied 

 in German, and indicated, by means of numbers, the exact 

 time of a watch. He had also three males with him, which 

 were able to select letters and numbers which were named. 

 Hunger had been the chief means used in the education of 

 all. Some years ago, also, Canaries were exhibited which 

 performed many curious feats, and, among others, enacted a 

 trial and execution. A Canary was brought from prison by 

 his comrades, who formed a circle round him ; one lifted up 

 his leg, as if to behead the culprit, who straightway fell down, 

 pretending to be dead ; he was then carried off and buried in 

 sand, while others accompanied the ceremony by whistling a 

 dirge. 



I will conclude this article by giving some rules, by the ob- 

 servance of which, the possession of a good singer may be 

 ensured. The first and chief thing is, that when young the 

 bird should hear none but a good song, and so not be tempted 

 to intermix the notes of other birds with his own. Care must 

 be taken to attain this object, not only at first, but at the first 

 and second moulting season, as the bird is then obliged to re- 

 learn his song, and might introduce into it some foreign admix- 

 ture. Here, too, may be remarked, a difference of capability 



