CANARY BIRD. 71 



are endearing-, its little humours innocent, and its anger neither hurts 

 nor offends. Its education is easy ; we rear it with pleasure, because 

 we are able to instruct it. It leaves the melody of its own natural note, 

 to listen to the melody of our voices and instruments. It applauds, it 

 accompanies us, and repays the jdeasure it receives with interest, while 

 the nightingale, more proud of its talent, seems desirous of preserving it 

 in all its purity, at least it appears to attach very little value to ours, 

 and it is with great difficulty it can be taught any of our airs. The 

 Canary can speak and whistle ; the nightingale despises our words, as well 

 as our airs, and never fails to return to its own wild wood notes. Its 

 pipe is a masterpiece of nature, which human art can neither alter nor* 

 improve ; while that of the Canary is a model of more pliant materials, 

 which we can mould at pleasure ; and therefore it contributes in a much 

 greater degree to the comforts of society. It sings at all seasons, 

 cheers us in the dullest weather, and adds to our happiness, by amusing 

 the young and delighting the recluse, charming the tediousness of the 

 cloister and gladdening the soul of the innocent and captive." 



There are said to be upwards of thirty varieties of the breeds of 

 Canaries, which can be easily distinguished ; and the number is increas- 

 ing every year. In London, we have societies for promoting the breeds, 

 and a premium is awarded to the competitor who comes nearest to the 

 model of perfection given out by the society the season prior to the 

 competition. 



There are two distinct species of Canaries, the plain and variegated, 

 or, as they are technically called, the gay spangles, or meally ; and jonks, 

 or jonquils, both of which are represented in our cut. These two 

 varieties are more esteemed by amateurs than any of the numerous 

 varieties which have sprung from them ; and although birds of different 

 feathers have their admirers, some preferring beauty of plumage, others 

 excellence of song, certainly that bird is most desirable where both are 

 combined. The first property of these birds consists in the cap, which 

 ought to be of fine orange colour, pervading every part of the body ex- 

 cept the tail and wings, and possessing the utmost regularity, without 

 any black feathers, as, by the smallest speck, it loses the property of a 

 show-bird, and is considered a broken-capped bird. The second pro- 

 perty consists in the feathers of the wing and tail being- of a deep black 

 up to the quill, as a single white feather in the wing or tail causes it 

 to be termed a foul bird ; the requisite number of these feathers in 

 each wing is eighteen, and in the tail twelve. It is, however, fre- 

 quently observed that the best coloured birds are foul in one or two 

 feathers, which reduces their value, although they may still be matched 

 to breed with. 



