162 TREATISE ON 



great measure, on the difference that exists among 

 them, with regard to the perfection of their senses, 

 — ^the canary-bird, whose organ of hearing is more 

 attentive, more susceptible of receiving and re- 

 taining foreign impressions, becomes accordingly 

 more social, tame, and familiar. It is capable of 

 gratitude, and even of attachment: Its caresses 

 are endearing, — its little humours are innocent, — 

 and its anger neither hm*ts nor offends. Its edu- 

 cation is easy : we rear it with pleasure, because we 

 are able to instruct it. It leaves the melody of its 

 natural note, to listen to the harmony of om* voices 

 and instruments. It applauds, it accompanies us, 

 and repays the pleasm-e it receives, with interest : 

 Tlie nightingale, more proud of its talent, seems 

 willing to preserve it in all its purity ; at least it 

 appears very little to value om's, and it is with the 

 greatest difficulty it can be taught to repeat any of 

 our airs. The canary can speak and whistle : The 

 nightingale despises our words as well as our songs, 

 and never fails to return to its OAvn wild wood- 

 notes. Its pipe is a master-piece of nature, which 

 human art can neither alter nor improve. That of 

 the canary is a model of more pliant materials, 

 which we can mould at pleasure. This last, there- 

 fore, contributes in a much greater degree to the 



