a THE CANARY. 



inerous class of individuals, who have formed 

 themselves into different societies for the 

 purpose of improving the breed, and car- 

 rying it to the highest point of perfection. 



Originally, the canary is a native of the 

 Canary Islands, from which it takes its name, 

 and from whence also it was imported, it is 

 said, about the fourteenth century. Of its 

 habits in a state of nature, we know but little ; 

 this, however, is certain, that it is neither so 

 beautiful in its plumage, nor so melodious 

 in its song, as when domesticated. 



In speaking of this bird, Buffon observes, 

 *' that if the nightingale is the chauntress of 

 the woods, the canary is the musician of the 

 chamber. The first owes all to nature ; the 

 second derives something from our arts : 

 with less strength of organ, less compass of 

 voice, and less variety of note, the canary 

 bird has a better ear, greater facility of imi- 

 tation, and more memory : and as the 

 difference of genius, especially among the 

 lower animals, depends in a 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 



