z6z 0Q{3\ClTH0L0gr. Book II. 



Chap. XIII. 

 Of the Canary -hird, ouj^ of Gefner, Aldrovandus, and Olina. 



c 



l An aria is an iQand of the Atlantic Sea, on the left fide of Mauritania, orte of 

 thofe which the Ancients for the excellent temperature of the Air called For- 

 tunate, Co denominated from the multitude of great Maftive Dogs, as Pliny 

 out of Juba delivers. All thofe Iflands, which the Ancients called Fortunate, are 

 now adays called the Canaries. Out of which in our Age are wont to be brought cer- 

 tain ringing birds, which from the place where they are bred they commonly call Ca- 

 nary-birds : Others call them Sugar-birds, becaufe the beft Sugar is brought thence. 

 Of this bird we have thought fit to treat next after the Skhjn, becauie fome have 

 judged it to be a fort of Siskin, as Turner : And in truth to look upon for colour and 

 fhape it is very like it. This bird Gefner from the relation of a friend of his thus de- 

 fcribes. It is of the bignefs of the common Titmoufe, hath a fmall white Bill, thick at 

 bafe, and contra&ed into a (harp point : All the feathers of the Wings and Tail being 

 of a green colour : So that it differs little from thofe fmall birds, which our Country 

 *ciuwilaoT men ca u * Citrils, or thofe they call Zifels, and the Italians, Ligurini, fave that it is a 

 little bigger than either of thofe, liker in the w or outward appearance to this, fome- 

 thing greener than that. So far Gefner. Between the Cock and Hen-bird I have ob- 

 ferved this difference, that the Breaft, Belly, and upper part of the Head, adjoyning 

 to be Bill, are more yellow in the Cock than in the Hen. This is common to both 

 Sexestobeflefhy, and not fat. Of its ringing the fame Gefner hath recorded as fol- 

 loweth. It hath a Very fweet and fhrill note, which at one breath continued for a 

 long time without intermiffion, it can draw out fometimes in length, fometimes raife 

 very high, by a various and almoft mufical inflexion of its voice, making very plea- 

 fant and artificial melody. The found it makes is very (harp, and fo quavering, that 

 fometimes when it ftretches and exercifes its little throat and Chaps, whittling with 

 all its force, it vehemently ftrikes, and even deafens the Ears of the hearers with its 

 fnrilnefs. Many are delighted with this kind of its finging, many alfo are offended, 

 faying, that they are aftonied and deafned by it. It is fold every where very dear, 

 both for the fweetnefs of its finging, and alfo becaufe it is brought from far remote 

 * Now adays places with great care and diligence, and but * rarely ? fo that it is wont to be kept 

 the of \\ "m" 9 ni y D y Nobles and great men. But if any one betaken with the melody ofthefe 

 brought over i Birds, let him buy thofe which have long Tails and fmall Bodies. For it is found by 

 nor are they experience that by how much lefs they are, by fo much are they more canorous. But 

 bufthafeven tne g reat ones ^ ut U P * n Cages turn their heads-round about and backward, and are 

 mean perfons not to be efteemed genuine or right bred Canary Birds. Of this fort there are brought 

 S" anifkee ^ rom ^ I&mds Palma andC.Ferde, which they call fools, from that motion of their 

 thern." eep head, which is proper to fools. They are fed with Canary-feed, wherein they take 

 great pleafure, which therefore is wont to be brought together with them out of the 

 fame Iflands. Gefner from the relation of his friend writes, that they are fed with the 

 fame food with the Siskin and Citril- viz>. Line feed, and Poppy feed, and fome- 

 times alfo Millet : But particularly, that they delight in Sugar and the Sugar-cane, as 

 alfo in that fort of Chickweed or Moufe-ear, which they commonly call Henbit. For 

 he affirms, that by this they are prefently provoked to fing. This fort of birds is wont 

 to be infefted with certain tumours. or kernels in its head ; which I take to be a kind of 

 i Atheromata : They are to be anointed with Butter or the fat of Hens till they ripen, 

 then they are to be opened, and the matter dexteroufly preffedout,and again anointed 

 till they be perfe&ly whole. Sometimes alfo they happen to be troubled with Lice : 

 In which cafe it will be of advantage to fprinkle them often with Wine. For Co thofe 

 Vermine will be killed, and they become ftronger to overcome that trouble. Thus 

 far Aldrovandus. 



There are alfo found ( faith Olina ) of this fort of birds in the Ifland Ilva a degene- 

 neratekind, defcended originally from true Canary-birds, which were brought over 

 from the Canary Iflands in a certain Ship bound for Ligorn, that was call: away near 

 this Ifland, and after the fhip wrack efcaped, and faved themfelves in this Ifland $ and 

 afterwards propagated their kind here, breeding and multiplying greatly. But the 

 difference of place hath wrought fome change in the external figure of this Bird. 

 For thefe fpurious Birds have black Feet ? and are more yellow under the Chin than the 

 genuine Canary-Birds. Additions 



