ORDER PASSERES. 279 



individuals always remain wild, of a rude and fierce nature, 

 and a tameless, independent character. They will not suffer 

 themselves to be touched, nor caressed, nor governed, nor 

 treated like the others. Such canaries would certainly thrive 

 if they were at full liberty. A narrow prison, such as a 

 cage, will not suit them. They should be kept in a large 

 cabinet or an aviary, in the open air. However, if it be 

 absolutely necessary to confine them in close quarters, they 

 should not be meddled with, after they are fixed in one place, 

 but simply furnished with the necessary food, and allowed to 

 live according to their fancy. 



Some males are of a weak habit, indifferent to the females, 

 and always sick after the nestling. They should never be 

 paired ; for it is to be observed, that the little ones always 

 resemble them. There are others which beat the female to 

 make her come out of the nest, and hinder her from hatching. 

 Those are the most robust, the best for song, and often the 

 finest in their plumage, and the most docile and familiar. 

 They should either have two females, or be treated like those 

 which break the eggs or kill the young. 



In fine, there are some canaries, which are always gay, 

 always singing, of a mild character, and happy disposi- 

 tion, so familiar that they will take from the hand, and even 

 from the mouth, all that is presented to them ; good hus- 

 bands, good fathers, susceptible, in short, of every good im- 

 pression, and endowed with the best inclinations, they amuse 

 the female incessantly with their song, and take so much 

 care of her, that they feed her every moment, soothe her in 

 the painful assiduity of hatching, seem to invite her to change 

 her situation, often hatch themselves for some hours in the 

 day, and feed the little ones the moment they are disclosed. 

 Besides these excellent domestic qualities, they are suscep- 

 tible of a more perfect education ; they easily learn airs frorai 

 the bird-organ or flageolet, and execute them in a more 



