158 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
THE CANARY. 
157. The Canary was originally peculiar to the 
Canary Islands, whence it has derived its name. It 
was introduced into Europe about the middle of the 
fourteenth century. The plumage is yellow, some- 
what mixed with gray. The song is composed of 
the nightingale’s or titlark’s notes, the bird in a 
wild state having no song of its own. 
158. The Canary is a social and familiar bird, and 
is capable of contracting an attachment for the per 
son to whom it belongs. It will perch on his shoul- 
der, and feed from his hand. It is also capable of 
being taught some extraordinary feats. 
159. In 1820, a Frenchman exhibited some in 
London, which performed several amusing tricks. 
One of them, taking a slender stick in its claws, 
passed its head between its legs, and suffered itself to 
be turned round, as if in the act of roasting. 
160. Another balanced itself, and was swung 
backwards and forwards on a kind of slack rope. A 
third suffered itself to be shot at, and, falling down 
From what country was the Canary first brought ? What is 
said of its song ? of its character I What anecdotes are related 
of it ? 
