23] 



'i. Note on a Talking Canary, addresskd to Dr. Gray, 

 V.P.Z.S. BiY S. LxiOB SOTHEBY. 



The Woodlands, Norwood, Surivv, 

 March 26, L858. 



Dear Sir, 



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 information I can obtain respect- 

 ing 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 they immediately neglected, by commencing the reboua- 

 ing 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 familiarized with those only who fed it ; conse- 

 cpiently, 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" with its significant Bounds. 

 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, yee, gee, 

 yee, Titchie, Titchie." 



Now as I have shown that the great Melanchthon signed his name 

 in no less than sixty different ways in uniting the words Phffippus 

 Melanchthon (see the plate of facsimiles in my work, a copy of which 

 is in the British Museum), you will not be surprised at the extra- 

 ordinary manner in which the dear little bird varies the several 

 words he has learned. 



The usual singing notes of the bird arc more of the character of 

 the Nightingale, mingled occasionally witli the sound of the dog- 

 whistle used about the house. It whistles also, very clearly, thu 

 tirst bar of " God sere 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 Btate. 



Our friend Mr. Waterhouse Hawkins, who has heard the bird, 

 tells me that about twenty years ago a Canary thai Bpoke a lew 



words was exhibited in Regent Street, the onlj other instance, I be- 

 lieve, publicly known. 



I have now only to apologize for having trespassed upon your 



