Canaries: Their Care and Management 3 



the feathers. Underneath it is yellowish, streaked on sides and 

 flanks with dusky. Wild canaries from the Canary Islands, the 

 Azores, and Madeira differ from the Continental serins in being 

 slightly grayer with less of yellowish green in the plumage above. 

 In addition, the rump is duller yellow and the bill is distinctly 

 larger. All the wild birds have the feet and legs (tarsi) horn brown, 

 the upper half of the bill dark brown or horn color, and the lower 

 half paler. 



Both of the wild varieties inhabit vineyards, thickets, and more 

 open country where bordered by trees. At times, during fall and 

 winter, great flocks are found together. The birds feed upon various 

 seeds and occasionally eat figs or other small fruits in season. In a 

 wild state they nest early in spring and again later, rearing two 

 broods. The nest, made of plant stems and grasses and lined with 

 hair and plant downs, is placed in bushes or low trees. The eggs are 

 clear green in color, spotted and clouded with deep wine red and red- 

 dish brown. From three to five eggs are deposited. 



VARIETIES. 



Variation among domesticated canaries began early, as Hernandez, 

 in 1587, speaks of the canary as wholly yellow in color save for the 

 tips of the wings. The various forms have had their origin in dis- 

 tinct geographic areas, and though some are almost extinct at present, 

 all at one time or another have had a devoted following of fanciers. 

 At present at least 14 distinct strains, with a large number of varie- 

 ties, are known. 



The common canary is reared primarily for its song, and from it 

 probably came the roller, or song canary, a great favorite in Germany 

 and, more recently, in England and the United States. In rearing 

 song canaries attempt is made to produce males with clear, soft, 

 pleasing songs with long rolls or trills, and no attention whatever 

 is paid to other characters. These birds, therefore, may be nonde- 

 script as regards color and appearance, and in mating care is taken 

 only to secure males that are good singers and females from good 

 stock. 



The young birds when fledged are put in rooms with males noted 

 for their soft song, and here, through imitation, they develop their 

 own vocal powers. Careful watch is kept over them, and any bird 

 that develops harsh notes is removed at once to prevent his corrupt- 

 ing the purity of tone in the song of his brothers. A mechanical 

 instrument known as a bird organ, that produces liquid trills, is 

 frequently utilized in training, usually when the adult birds are 

 silent during molt. Ordinarily the room where song canaries are 

 being trained is darkened, and frequently the cages containing the 

 young birds are screened with cloth to lessen a tendency to objection- 

 able loudness of song. In six months or less, their education com- 

 pleted, these songsters may be sold or in their turn utilized in train- 

 ing others still younger. It is common to teach these birds some 

 simple strain or air, through its constant repetition by whistling or 

 by means of an instrument. Well-trained birds are popular pets 

 and frequently bring high prices. 



