THE CANARY AND ITS SONG
Of the home birds the gold-hued Canary comes first, as the chief favorite among them all. From its native home on the Canary Islands it has been taken to Europe and America and kept so long in cages that it has quite forgotten its old-time liberty, so that a canary-bird escaped from its cage is the most helpless creature in the feathered flock, and is likely to become the prey of the cat if not captured and brought back to its cage-home.
The wild canary is not noted for its beauty and not greatly for its song. It is found in large numbers in the Canary, Madeira, and Cape Verde Islands, and is of a greenish-yellow color, with gray tail and wings. It is the art of man which has made the home bird what it is and has given it its color and its fine vocal powers. When the Canary Islands were occupied by the Spaniard in 1478 these birds were taken in large numbers to Spain, from which they spread over Europe, becoming the pets of many a cottage and castle home. In many of the old pictures we see their little forms, now perched in a corner, now sitting on a lady's finger.
The canary belongs to the family of finches, its place being between the linnet and the goldfinch. In its native islands it dwells near man, building its nest—of moss, feathers, hair, etc.—in thick, bushy places. The hen-bird lays an egg every day until from four to six are in the nest, on which she begins to sit. In thirteen days the young birds appear and in thirteen more they are able to fly, but their parents feed them for some time longer, on grass seeds or other plant food.
We must say that this bird enjoys cage-life, for it seems very happy in its narrow home. It becomes quite tame and fearless, grows to love its mistress, and sings with a freedom that speaks of a joyful heart. In its wild state it is fond of bathing, and it is needful to give it a frequent bath in its cage, if it is to be kept well and tuneful.
The cage-canary is a home bird, unlike the bird of the free air. It has been made over by man and fitted for its new life. Early in its cage career the country people around Innsbruck, in the Tyrol, became active in raising these little vocalists, and from there they spread to Germany and the Netherlands. To-day they are raised in large numbers in the Hartz Mountain region of Germany, where great care is taken in teaching them to sing. They are also raised and taught in other countries.
The canary is very ready to take on new songs and its trainer is careful to keep it from falling into bad habits. If a bird happens to hear a bad note it is apt to take it up and it is hard to break it of the fault. So the good singers are kept where they cannot hear those of poor voice, and a number of the finest singers are kept as models to teach the young birds how to sing.
Bird lovers have their tastes. Some like a loud song, with high notes and long trills. Others prefer a soft, warbling, flute-like note, with clear flourishes of song, and no one likes these to be broken by a sharp "Chap-chap" or "tsi-tsi" or other vocal fault.
It takes nearly a year for a canary to gain its education. In that time it will learn several airs. Some of these may be forgotten, and then the model songster is brought near so that they may be learned again. It is said that some canaries have even been taught to speak a few words.
Sometimes a bird that has a shrill or too sharp note is kept in the shade until this is corrected. And the canary often sings better in the little cages of the dealers than in the large, fine cages of its final home. Thus singing birds as well as singing people have their own fancies.
Rape and hemp seeds are the principal food of these birds. A little flax-seed is also good for them, as it helps to fatten them. They are fond of flowering groundsel and chickweed and a very small supply of these is good for their health. They also have a sweet tooth and are very fond of sugar.
Shall we say something about the different breeds of canaries? There are numbers of them and each country has its own. We can tell the breeds apart by their shape and song. Thus the English canaries are very tall, with a tuft or top-knot on the head. The French breed is noted for its slender form. In Germany more heed is paid to song than to shape. Holland was long known for a fine, strong race which is still called the Dutch canary, though it is no longer to be found in that country. In the United States shape and color are the points looked after, birds of elegant form being preferred.
The Belgian canaries have been called the "nobles" of the canary race. They are large, with narrow, flattish head and very gentle eyes. The neck is flexible, the head is carried straight forward and the back and tail bend almost straight downward, this giving the bird an odd appearance. Its little form and the way it carries its head, with the mild look in its eyes, are notable points. The Scotch Fancy canary, now common in England and the United States, is like the Belgian but has a much flatter head.