CANARY 



Original color gray on the upper parts shading to green 

 on the under parts. These colors have been greatly changed 

 by the influence of climate and by cross breeding with other 

 birds of similar species. The prevailing colors are gray, yellow, 

 white and reddish-brown. Length, five inches. 



The nest is made of grass, straw, paper and bits of cloth, or 

 a ready-made nest will be accepted if provided. Eggs, three to 

 five, light green, spotted and streaked with reddish-brown, 

 .65 X .50 inches. 



The original home of the Canaries was the Canary Islands, 

 a group off the northwest coast of Africa, where they were 

 found wild. Some of these birds were taken to Italy in the six- 

 teenth century where people soon learned that they would thrive 

 when caged. From Italy they were carrijed to all the other 

 countries of Europe. The Linnets of Germany and the Finches 

 of Italy have been purposely crossed with the Canaries. To 

 accomplish this, eggs of the former kinds were taken from the 

 nests and hatched under Canaries. Such wild birds are con- 

 tent with cage-life and mate readily with (^anaries. 



Canaries may be trained to imitate the songs of other 

 birds or to sing notes produced by musical instruments. If 

 young male birds are placed where they can hear desirable 

 songs or notes repeated several times a day for a considerable 

 period, they will memorize the sounds and learn to sing them. 

 The most valuable birds are raised in Italy where they are 

 trained to sing with the flute. A pair of Canaries will raise 

 from two to five broods in a year. 



Near the Hartz Mountains, Germany, Canaries are raised 



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