242 VERTEBEATES. 



lands, and feeds on insects or seeds. The notes of this bird are 

 not peculiarly melodious, nor has it many qualifications to entitle 

 it to notice. 



The Canary ^In its native islands, the Canary-bird is of 



a dusky grey color, and so different from those usually seen in the 

 United States, that some have even doubted whether it be of the 

 same species. With us, they have that variety of coloring usual 

 in all domestic fowls; some white, some mottfed, some beautifully 

 shaded with green; but they are more esteemed for their not(\ 

 than their beauty, having a high piercing pipe, as indeed all those 

 of the finch tribe have, continuing for some time in one breath 

 without intermission, then raising it higher and higher by degrees, 

 with great variety. 



In choosing the Canary-bird, those are best that appear with 

 life and boldness, standing upright upon the perch, like a sparrow- 

 hawk, and not apt to be frighted at everything that stirs. If its 

 eyes look oheerfvd and not drowsy, it is a sign of health ; but, on 

 the contrary, if it hides its head under the wing, gathers its body 

 up, these are symptoms of its being out of order.- In choosing 

 them, the melody of the song should also be minded : some will 

 open with the notes of the nightingale, and running through a 

 varieiy of modulations, end like the tit-lark. Others will begii 

 like the sky-lark, and, by a soft melodious turn, fall into the notes 

 of the nightingale. These are lessons taught this bird in its do- 

 mestic state, and generally taught it by others ; but its native note 

 is loud, shrill, piercing, and enough to deafen the hearers. There 

 are persons who admire each of these songs, but the second is in 

 the most general estimation. 



Canary-birds sometimes breed all the year round ; but they 

 most usually begin to pair in April, and to breed in June and 

 August. Those are said to be the best breeders that are produced 

 between the English and the French. 



The Canary-bird, by being kept in company with the linnet 

 or the goldfinch, pairs and produces a mixed breed, more like tlie 

 Canary-bird, and resembling it chiefly in its song. Indeed, all 

 this tribe, with strong bills and piercing notes, and feeding upon 



