256 Birds. 
and appeared quite stiff for half-an-hour ; till at length, 
with much trembling and deep respirations, he came 
gradually to himself." 
Some years ago, a Frenchman exhibited in London 
twenty-four Canary-birds, many of which he said were 
from eighteen to twenty-five years of age. Some of 
these balanced themselves, head downward, on their 
shoulders, having their legs and tail in the air. 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 being roasted. Another balanced itself, 
and was swung backward and forward on a kind of a slack 
rope. A third was dressed in military uniform, having 
a cap on its head, wearing a sword and pouch, and carrying 
a firelock in one claw : after some time sitting upright, 
this bird, at the word of "command, freed itself from its 
dress, and flew away to the cage. A fourth suffered 
itself to be shot at, and falling down as if dead, was put 
into a little wheelbarrow, and wheeled away by one of 
its comrades ! 
THE CHAFFINCH. (Fringilla ccelebs.) 
The Chaffinch is of the same dimensions as the sparrow, 
