402 FOREIGN BIRDS. 



or lather, perhaps, sub-varieties, have been described to the 

 number of nearly thirty, arising doubtless from domestication 

 and admixture with other birds of the Finch and Bunting tribe. 

 It is about the size of a goldfinch. The first variety inhabits 

 the Canary islands, whence its name ; the second variety, 

 Africa, and it is said also St. Helena, where it sings much 

 better than the common canary found in cages in this country. 

 It is also found at Palma, Fayal, Cape Verd, and Madeira, as 

 well as at the Canaries. 



This bird is supposed to have been first brought into Europe 

 in the thirteenth or fourteenth century ; Gesner, who flourished 

 in the sixteenth, is the first naturalist who mentions it ; and 

 when Aldrovandus published his work on birds in 1599, it was 

 esteemed a great rarity. It is easily tamed, and is domesticated 

 almost every where for its delicate plumage and beautiful song. 

 It feeds on various seeds, chiefly on those of hemp and canary 

 grass j it is prolific with most of the other species of the finch, 

 and even with some which are usually considered as belonging 

 to a different genus, such as the yellow-hammer, Emberiza 

 Citrinella. The canary male is, however, more shy than the 

 female, and will associate with no female but his own species. 

 The age of this bird extends to fourteen or fifteen years. Of the 

 eggs and incubation of this bird in its natural state I have not 

 been able to obtain any account. In its domestic state it 

 doubtless partakes of the nature of those birds with which it 

 might happen to be associated. The eggs of the finch tribe are 

 generally about five in number, and whitish, with rufous spots. 

 For others of the finch tribe, see pages 252, 262, and 280. 



They breed without difficulty in confinement in this and many 

 other countries ; the male and female both assist in forming 

 the nest. 



It is said, too, that the song of the Canary-birds bred in this 

 country is usually composed of the notes of the Titlark and the 

 Nightingale; but, although this may be occasionally true, it is 



