12 CANARY BIRDS. 



was so congenial to their nature, that they 

 remained and bred, and would, probably, 

 have remained there to the present day, had 

 not their beauty and melody attracted the 

 attention of bird-catchers, who hunted them 

 so assiduously, that not a single specimen 

 was left on the island. From Italy the 

 birds soon found their way into France and 

 Germany, from which latter country and 

 the Tyrol, we now derive our principal sup- 

 ply. Canary breeding and training is there 

 conducted on a very large scale, and in ac- 

 cordance with well established rules and 

 principles. In England, canary societies 

 have existed for upwards of a century, and 

 for the last fifty years they have had annual 

 shows and competitions for prizes ; and im- 

 mense prices have been given for prize cana- 

 ries. Thirty varieties are distinguished; 

 these are separated into two great divisions, 

 the plain and the variegated ; the former 

 being called Gay Birds, or Gay Spangles, 

 and the latter Fancy Birds, or Mealy Birds. 



