ON THE SINGING OF BIRDS. 
tinue long enough in a place, for the hearer to 
recollect his notes with accuracy. 
Besides this, birds in the spring sing very 
loud indeed; but they only give short jerks, 
and scarcely ever the whole compass of their 
song. | 
For these reasons, I have never happened to 
meet with any person, who had not resided in 
London, whose judgment or opinion on this 
subject I could the least rely upon; and a 
stronger proof of this cannot be given, than that 
most people, who keep Canary birds, do not 
know that they sing chiefly either the titlark, or 
nightingale notes.* 
* I once saw two of these birds which came from the Canary 
Islands; neither of which had any song at all: and I have been 
informed, that a ship brought a great many of them not long 
since, which sung as little. 
Most of those Canary birds, which are imported from the 
Tyrol, have been educated by parents, the progenitor of which 
was instructed by a nightingale; our English Canary birds have 
commonly more of the titlark note. 
The traffick in these birds makes a small article of commerce, 
as four Tyroleze generally bring over to England sixteen hun- 
dred every year; and though they carry them on their backs 
one thousand miles, as well as pay 201. duty. for such a number, 
yet, upon the whole, it answers to sell these birds at 5s. a 
piece. 
The chief place for breeding Canary birds is Inspruck and its 
environs, from whence they are sent to Constantinople, as well 
as every part of Europe. 
34] 
