. A natural history of foreign birds . THE CANARY BIRD. This bird is now become so common, and has con-tinued so long in a domestic state, that its nativehabits, as well as its native country, seem almostforgotten. Though by the name it appears birds came originally from the CanaryIslands, yet we have them only from Germany,where they are bred up in great numbers; andsold in different parts of Europe. In its native islands, a region no less distin-guished for the beauty of its landscapes than theharmony of its groves, this bird is of a dusky greycolour, and so different from those
. A natural history of foreign birds . THE CANARY BIRD. This bird is now become so common, and has con-tinued so long in a domestic state, that its nativehabits, as well as its native country, seem almostforgotten. Though by the name it appears birds came originally from the CanaryIslands, yet we have them only from Germany,where they are bred up in great numbers; andsold in different parts of Europe. In its native islands, a region no less distin-guished for the beauty of its landscapes than theharmony of its groves, this bird is of a dusky greycolour, and so different from those usually seen inEurope, that some have even doubted whether itbe the same species. With us they have thatvariety of colouring usual in all domestic fowls;but they are more esteemed for their note thantheir beauty. 28. THE HUMMING BIRD. 1 iiese birds are found to vary in .size from thaiof a small wren to that of a humble-bee, and consequently are the smallest of the feathered rac(They live only in warm countries, as tiie EasiIndies and America, where the flowers are alwayi ;growing. Their colours are more beautiful thaican well be imagined ; they are extremely brillianiand shining; many seem spangled wtfcb gold arniprecious stones ; and some have little crests 01their heads. At sun-rising the humming birds oidifferent kinds flutter about the flowers, theiiwings moving very quickly, and continuing per-petually in motion. They fly like butterflies fromflower to flower, and, with their little tongue,which are tubular and forked at the end, suck thehoney, their only food. The lime of brooding istwelve days, and the young are no larger than agreat blue fly. 29
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectbirdspictorialwork
