ENGLISH SPARROW 215 



of cage-birds, the Canary. It is a slightly smaller 

 bird, with shorter wings and longer tail, and its song 

 is not so melodious nor so varied as that of the 

 Canary. See Plate 18, Fig. 102. 



The Canary is closely allied to, if, indeed, it is not 

 a sub-species of, the Serin. The wild Canary is olive- 

 green above, streaked with darker colour, and green- 

 ish-yellow below; but by ages of careful breeding, 

 many varieties have been produced, the most common 

 being pale yellow over the whole body. This is said 

 to be deepened to a brilliant flame-colour by mixing 

 cayenne pepper in the food. The name of the bird 

 is derived from the fact that it is a native of the 

 Canary Islands, where it is very abundant. It is a 

 popular cage-bird all over the world. The song of 

 the wild Canary, though pleasing, is said to be sur- 

 passed by that of the domesticated varieties. See 

 Plate 18, Fig. 105. 



Of the House-sparrow, or English Sparrow, as it 

 is usually called in this country, though it is not 

 known to be a native of England, little need be said, 

 for it is, unfortunately, now common everywhere. 

 Although, like the rest of its family, chiefly a seed- 

 and grain-eater, it was introduced into the United 

 States in the expectation that it would destroy noxi- 

 ous insects that were injuring trees in our public 

 parks. It has, however, done far more harm than 

 good, proving a great pest to farmers, and driving 

 away many of our native birds from their former 

 haunts. The House-sparrow is extremely hardy and 

 prolific, and adapts itself with wonderful facility to 

 new environment. It has no song, and its one note is 



