THE CANARY FINCH. 



Fringilla Canarja, Linn. 



Canary birds are now become so common in 

 this country and all over Europe, and have con- 

 tinued so long in a domestic state, that they may 

 reasonably be included amongst those native birds 

 that contribute so much delight to us by their song. 

 They came originally from the Canary Islands, as 

 their name indicates ; but are now bred in immense 

 numbers, both for amusement and commerce, in 

 France, the Tyrol, Germany, and in this country. 



" In its native islands," says Goldsmith, " a re- 

 gion equally noted for the beauty of its landscapes 

 and harmony of its groves, the Canary is of a 

 dusky grey colour, with a tinge of green." The 

 song of the Canary bird is greatly esteemed : it is 

 a high piercing, quavering pipe, continued for some 

 time in one breath without intermission, and raised 

 higher and higher by degrees with great variety. 



BufFon says in his elegant manner, that "if the 

 Nightingale is the chantress of the woods, the 

 Canary is the musician of the chamber : the first 

 owes all to nature, the second something to art. 

 With less strength of organ, less compass of voice, 

 and less variety of note, the Canary bird has a 

 better ear, greater facility of imitation, and a more 

 retentive memory ; and as the difference of genius, 



