36 

 NEST AND EGGS OF THE CANARYBIRD. 



PLATE XXXVI. 



The nest I described was built in a green-house, on 

 the branch of a small-leafed myrtle. The general shape 

 of the nest was the same as that of a linnet or goldfinch, 

 round and handsome. The materials of which it was 

 composed were such as had been brought in for the 

 purpose by the gardener ; moss, wool, feathers. Sec. 

 which were all indiscriminately blended together. 

 And the gardener told me, that if he brought her a 

 little down, wool, or a few feathers, after she had be- 

 gun laying, she would place them on the outside, or 

 round the brim of the nest, still encreasing it till the 

 time she begun to sit. 



Three eggs were in the nest at the time I made the 

 drawing. They were white, spotted with small red 

 spots. 



If the breeders of Canarybirds would furnish the 

 rooms where they are kept with myrtles, or other sweet 

 smelling shrubs, in which they might make their nests, 

 and take care to keep the room clean and well aired, 

 it would not only contribute much to the beauty and 

 health of the birds, but would be more agreeable to 

 nature, less trouble to the owner, and would afford 

 greater gratification to the curious, than when they are 

 confined in small, and perhaps, dirty boxes, as is now 

 in many places the custom. 



The food and song of the Canarybird are so gener- 

 ally known, that nothing need be said of them here ; 

 only for the sake of the little pretty warblers, let me 

 once more recommend sweet food, pure water, and a 

 clean room. 



