. Reptiles and birds : a popular account of their various orders, with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting . colouring. Originally fromthe Canary Islands, they were first imported into Europe in thefifteenth century, and such was the charm of their song, added totheir natural docility and gay plumage, that every one was eager topossess them. Buffon says, in his elegant manner, that if the Nightin-gale is the songster of the woods, the Canary is the chamber race propagates, moreover, so rapidly, that the poorest canafford to possess them; for these ele
. Reptiles and birds : a popular account of their various orders, with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting . colouring. Originally fromthe Canary Islands, they were first imported into Europe in thefifteenth century, and such was the charm of their song, added totheir natural docility and gay plumage, that every one was eager topossess them. Buffon says, in his elegant manner, that if the Nightin-gale is the songster of the woods, the Canary is the chamber race propagates, moreover, so rapidly, that the poorest canafford to possess them; for these elegant little creatures are to befound among every grade of society, pouring out their joyous melody THE WHIDAH BIRD, 495 in the garret of the poor seamstress with as much energy as in thegorgeous saloons of the weakhy. There are two distinct species of the Canary, the Plain andVariegated, or as the bird-fanciers designate them, the Mealy orSpangled, and Jonquils; but between these innumerable varietieshave sprung up from cross-breeding with the Goldfinch, Linnet, andSiskin. These cross-breeds are often charming songsters; but, like. all mules, they are completely sterile. Bechstein is of opinion thatour Domestic Canary has a cross of the Siskin in it ; this belief fora long time existed, but most naturalists now are of opinion that suchis not the case. The Whidah Birds, of which the Vidua paradisea (Fig. 213) isthe best known, are among the most remarkable of the hard-billed,seed-eating birds to which they belong. The long, drooping tail-feathers which adorn the males in the breeding season give thema very singular appearance. The upper part of their plumage is of a 496 REPTILES AND BIRDS. faded blackish brown, assuming a paler hue on the wings and lateraltail feathers. The whole body is tinged with this faded black, gradu-ally narrowing as it descends to the middle of the breast; a broad,rich orange-brown collar proceeds from the back of the neck, unitingwith a tinge of the sam
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectreptiles, bookyear1
