222 
PIPING BULLFINCHES. 
Spaniards found them so profitable a trade, that an order was 
issued for either destroying all the hens that were taken, or 
setting them at liberty, that the breed might he confined to 
the islands. The trade in Canary birds is now much greater 
than it was then, though entirely removed from the original 
spot. They are reared in Germany and other parts of Europe, 
by people who bring them over to this country in great num- 
bers every Spring. 
About thirty years ago a very industrious people, the Tyro- 
lese, were the chief providers. They brought over every year ! 
nearly two thousand, which they carried all the way in cages 
on their backs, and made a good livelihood by selling the best 
at five shillings a-piece. Since then the trade has, we have 
reason to believe, still further increased. 
Though not very hardy, Canaries might possibly be na- 
turalized in our country, by putting their eggs in the nests 
of Sparrows, Chaffinches, or other similar birds. The ex- 
periment has been partially tried in Berkshire, where a 
person for years kept them in an exposed aviary out of 
doors, where they seemed to suffer no inconvenience from the 
severest weather. 
But this singing-bird trade is not confined altogether to 
Canary birds ; Piping Bullfinches, so called from being taught 
to pipe different tunes, forming a considerable branch of it. 
In the month of 
June the young 
ones, which are 
sought for in the 
nests of wild birds, 
are taken when 
about ten days old, 
and brought up by 
a person who, by 
care and atten- 1 
tion, so completely 
tames them that | 
they become per- |j 
fectly docile and 
obedient. At the 
Bullfinch 
