66 CANARY BIRDS. 



Many birds are so self-willed as never to 

 sing except they can display their vocal 

 powers alone, while the song of others is 

 always soft and low, except when excited to 

 rivalry by hearing the performance of a 

 neighbor. It is important to give them their 

 allotted portion of food every day ; for if 

 too large a supply is given them at once, 

 the result is that they pick out the best first, 

 and leave the rest for another day, which 

 impairs their vocal powers. 



A bird of two or three years old was 

 taught to sing a national air very sweetly 

 by some children who had a little bird- 

 organ, and they played the tune on every 

 occasion possible. 



