THE CANARY. 
Its Introduction into Europe. — The introduction of the 
canary into Europe was attended by an unco mm on amount of 
romance. A merchant ship, containing a large number of the 
then marvellous “ golden” birds, was wrecked on the coast of 
Italy. The waves were triumphant, and the poor ship ceasing 
to struggle against its doom, was settling down to its deep 
grave, when one of the crew, bethinking him of the imprisoned 
birds, opened the door of their cage, and gave them their 
liberty. As the ship went down the glad birds rose in the 
air, and flying to the nearest land — the Island of Elba, — there 
took up their abode. The climate being favourable, no doubt 
they would speedily have increased and multiplied, but for two 
obstructions. Firstly, the rage that speedily beset the inhabi- 
tants for snaring and possessing the curious “ golden” birds, and 
the utter ignorance that naturally prevailed as to how they 
should, when secured, be housed and fed ; and, secondly, the 
fatal fact that among the multitude of shipwrecked canaries 
there were not more than two or three females. However, 
enterprising traders speedily fetched more of the birds from the 
Canary Islands, and so they gradually found their way through 
Europe. 
It will do the canary-keeper no harm when he hears his 
pets filling the house with their glorious music, to think of the 
humane sailor in the sinking ship, who let the birds free. The 
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