472 THE CANAEY. 



the fanciers according to their arbitrary rules, always subject to variation ; and to my 

 mind, an intelligent bird and a good songster is not one whit the less attractive because 

 the colours of its plumage are not arranged precisely according to the fanciers' rules. 



I have kept Canaries for many years, and could fill pages with anecdotes and histories 

 of them and their habits, but as I have already written rather a long biography of my 

 Canaries in " My Feathered Friends," together with instructions for the management and 

 rearing of tliese pretty birds, there is no need to repeat the account in the present pages. 



Several accounts of talking Canaries have come before the public, but none of them 

 very reliable until Mr. S. L. Sotheby addressed the following communication to Mr. 

 Gray, Vice-President of the Zoological Society. 



" Touching that marvellous little specimen of the feathered tribe, a talking Canary, of 

 which I had the pleasure a few days since of telling you, I now send you all the infor- 

 mation I can obtain respecting it, from the lady by whom it was brought up and educated 

 at this our homestead. 



Its parents had previously and successfully reared many young ones ; but three years 

 ago they hatched only one out of four eggs, the which tliey immediately neglected, by com- 

 mencing the rebuilding of a nest upon the top of it. Upon this discovery, the unfledged 

 and forsaken bird, all but dead, was taken away and placed in flannel by the fire, when 

 after much attention it was restored and then brought up by hand. Thus treated, and 

 away from all other birds, it became familiarised with those only who fed it ; consequently 

 its first singing notes were of a character totally different to those usual with the Canary. 



Constantly being talked to, the bird, when about three months old, astonished its 

 mistress by repeating the endearing terms used in talking to it, such as ' Kissie, kissie,' 

 wdth its significant sounds. This went on, and from time to time the little bird repeated 

 other words ; and now, for hours together, except during the moulting season, astonishes 

 us by ringing the changes, according to its own fancy, and as plain as any human voice 

 can articulate them, on the several words — ' Dear sweet Titchie' (its name), ' Kiss Minnie, 

 ' Kiss me then, dear Minnie,' ' Sweet pretty little Titchie,' ' Kissie, kissie, kissie,' ' Dear 

 Titchie,' ' Titchie wee, gee, gee, gee, Titchie, Titchie.' The usual singing notes of tlie bird 

 are more of the character of the nightingale, mingled occasionally with the dog-whistle 

 used about the house. It sometimes whistles, very clearly, the first bar of ' God save the 

 Queen.' 



It is hardly necessary to add that the bird is, of course, by nature remarkably tame ; so 

 much so that, during its season, it will perch down from its cage on my finger, shouting 

 and talking in the most excited state. Our friend Mr. B. Waterhouse Hawkins, who has 

 heard the bird, tells me that about twenty years ago a Canary that spoke a few words was 

 exhibited in Eegent-street, the only other instance, I believe, publicly known." 



This very interesting communication was printed in the Proceedings of the Zoological 

 Society, and may be found in No. CCCLXI. 1858. 



One word of advice I will just give to possessors of Canaries : It often happens that 

 the birds become dispirited, sit drooping on the ground or their perches, and have every 

 symptom of severe illness. In nine cases out of ten, this is caused by the red-mite, a tiny 

 parasitic creature, almost invisible to the naked eye, which attacks the Canaries, and by 

 the continual irritation and want of rest which it occasions, especially during the night, 

 gives rise to many dangerous complaints. Formerly I lost several birds by this pest, but 

 have now succeeded in its almost complete extirpation. 



The red-mites are haters of light, and during the daytime they generally retire from the 

 birds, and conceal themselves in the cracks and crevices of the cage, their minute 

 dimensions enabling them to congregate in immense numbers within a very small space. 

 I am accustomed, therefore, at the brightest moments of noonday, when the mites have 

 entirely retreated into their hiding-places, to remove the birds from the cage, and to apply 

 neat's-foot oil to every part of the cage where a mite could take shelter. This plan has 

 the advantage over all others, that it not only kills the mites, but also destroys their eggs, 

 and so prevents a fresh supply from being raised. I then take each bird separately, and, 

 after rubbing some Persian Insect Powder well into the feathers, I scatter some powder in 

 a piece of calico, wrap the bird in it, and let it lie for a quarter of an hour. A feather 



