as he did upon the first. At one of these his gun flashed three times, without its attempting to move; after which he drew the charge, loaded again, and killed it. The dog, all the time, was barking and baying with the greatest perseverance. "There is, in fact, no limits," he says, "to the stupidity of these creatures; and it is by no means unusual, on finding a whole covey on a tree in autumn, to begin by shooting the bird which happens to sit lowest, and then to drop the one above him, and so on till all are killed."

THE CANARY.

THE elegant little bird, which may so often be seen in a gay-looking cage, or sporting about in the aviaries of our country, must not be passed by because of its familiarity. Of canaries there are two distinct species, the plain and the variegated: these are more esteemed by amateurs than any of the numerous varieties which have sprung from them. They are called the gay spangles, or meally, and jonks, or jonquils.

A canary, a jonquil cock, used to nibble at his cage till he opened it, and then escaping from its prisonhouse, it would fly to the mantel-piece, where it would place itself on a china ornament, flutter as if in the act of washing, and continue to do so till water was brought. So docile was this bird as to come to the hand when called, and hide trifling articles in the corner of its cage, stopping and looking round as if to be encouraged and applauded. But a favourite amusement was, to perch on one of the branches of a tall myrtle, in a window where the cage frequently hung; and so bold did

it become, as to dart upon the ephemeral insects that rose from a stream close by, and which appeared to yield it a delicious banquet.

In the spring of 1839, the writer visited the exhibition in London of a 66 talking canary." It was a beautiful bird, which sang most melodiously, and in the course of its carol distinctly articulated the words, "pretty queen;" Mary;""sweet little Dickey, dear," and some others. It was said to have had no instruction, but voluntarily to have imitated some of the sounds it heard in a family room where its cage was suspended. The writer asked if, on discovering this singular power, its exhibitors taught it any fresh words, but they replied they did not, for fear it should lose any it could utter. The presence of a large number of persons seemed rather to animate than disturb this canary, for which, it was said, five hundred guineas were offered and refused. It died in the autumn of 1839.

In the dexterity displayed by some birds, there is reason to fear that much must have been endured in preparatory discipline; and no excuse can be offered for the cruel treatment of inferior creatures. It is to be hoped it was not suffered in the following instance, the most remarkable with which the writer ever met. A native of Prussia introduced a canary-bird to a party at Cleves,

to whom he hoped it would afford much amusement. As he held it on his finger, he thus addressed it:

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Bijou, you are now in the presence of persons of great sagacity and honour; take care, therefore, that you do not disappoint the expectations they have formed. You have earned laurels; beware of their withering: in a word, conduct yourself as the bijou (the jewel) of canarybirds, as you certainly are." Meanwhile the bird appeared to listen, sloping its head to the ear of its owner, and nodding twice as soon as he had finished.

Pulling off his hat to the bird, the Prussian said:— Now, let us see if you are a canary of honour: give us a tune." The canary-bird immediately sang, but only to have the rebuke, "Pshaw! that's too harsh: 'tis the note of a raven that is hoarse!" The canary whistled forthwith most delightfully. "Faster," said the

very well!

But what are this

little foot and head about? No wonder you are out, Mr. Bijou, when you forget your time: there, that's a jewel! Bravo, bravo!" he added, as the little creature did promptly all that it was required. The party expressed their surprise and admiration at its docility; and the musicians declared it was a greater master of their art than any of their band. "And do you not show your sense of this civility, sir?" said the Prussian

with an angry air; on which the canary bowed, as we should say, most respectfully to the company.

My poor Bijou," said the owner, "thou hast had hard work, and must be weary: a few more performances, and thou shalt repose. Show the ladies how to make a curtsey:— that's a fine bird! Now, a bow, head and foot corresponding. Now, a dance: - there, that's it keep it up-keep it up! And now thou hast done all my biddings bravely," he said, as he caressed the little prodigy; "take a nap while I fill thy place. Again obedience was immediate: the canary first shut one eye, then the other; then nodded, and dropping so much on one side that the hands of several of the company were stretched out to save it from falling, when, just as they approached its feathers, it suddenly recovered, and dropped as much on the other.

At length, sleep seemed to fix it in a steady posture; on which the owner took it from his finger, and laid it flat on the table, where, he affirmed, it would remain in a good sound sleep while he filled up the interval. He now proceeded to drink a glass of wine, but was interrupted by the canary springing suddenly up to claim its share, putting its bill into the glass, while the owner called it a saucy fellow; and then lying down to sleep again. But this extraordinary tale has a melancholy