Called by Linnaeus, Fringilla Canaria, because it first came, as is generally supposed, from the Canary Isles, where the species is still found in abundance, singing very sweetly, although not, perhaps, so scientifically as their richly-attired and better instructed relations. Voyagers tell us that these wild birds of the Canary Isles have mostly gray plumage, and this tint prevails to a considerable extent in some of the domesticated varieties, which are rather numerous. White, gray, yellow, green, and brown, of different shades, and in varying proportions, are the common colors of those birds bred in confinement; how the changes have been produced, it is now impossible to say; climate, food, and intermixture of breeds, have, no doubt, each and all had some effect in producing them, as by a careful attention to these matters, the latter especially, breeders in the country may now calculate with a tolerable degree of certainty on the kind of bird they are likely to have from certain parents, under certain circumstances. With regard to climate, it has been remarked by Adamson, that the canary, which becomes in France nearly white, is, at Teneriffe, almost brown, and this agrees with the general observation of naturalists, that the covering of animals, be it fur or feathers, becomes thicker, and lighter of color, in proportion to the coldness of the climate which they inhabit. We should not, however, lay too much stress upon this argument, for in this, as in all other northern countries in which they reside, canaries are so sheltered and protected from the weather, that we can scarcely imagine it to have much effect upon the economy of their growth and structure; and then, too, the prevalence amongst us of the darker-tinted birds - greens, and cinnamon browns, and the like - militates considerably against this theory.

The exact date of the introduction of the canary into England is not known; it is mentioned by Gesner, who wrote in the latter part of the sixteenth century, and first described by Aldrovandus, in his "Ornithology," bearing date 1610 ; the bird was then esteemed a great rarity. According to some authors, the island of Elba was the first European ground on which the canary found a resting-place. A ship bound for Leghorn, they say, having on board a number of the sweet songsters, foundered near this island, on which the birds, set at liberty by the accident, found a refuge, and the climate was so congenial to their nature, that they remained and bred, and would, probably, have remained there to the present day, had not their beauty and melody attracted the attention of bird-catchers, who hunted them so assiduously, that not a single specimen was left on the island. From Italy the birds soon found their way into France and Germany, from which latter country and the Tyrol, we now derive our principal supply. Canary breeding and training is there conducted on a very large scale, and in accordance with well established rules and principles. In England, canary societies have existed for upwards of a century, and for the last fifty years they have had annual shows and competitions for prizes; and immense prices have been given for prize canaries. Thirty varieties are distinguished; these are separated into two great divisions, the plain and the variegated; the former being called Gay Birds, or Gay Spangles, and the latter Fancy Birds, or Mealy Birds.

The latter are considered the strongest, and have the boldest song. Jonks, or Jonquils, is also a term applied to those of a pure yel-low. There is also a variety called the Lizard, the plumage of which is of a greenish-bronze throughout, excepting the upper part of the head, which is covered by a patch of clear yellow, and this variety is looked upon as the nearest of kin to the original stock.

The Jonquil, as its name denotes, is required to be of a deep pure yellow, entirely free from any green tinge.

In the Mealy Bird, the golden plumage of back, breast, and head, appear frosted over, or powdered, through the small feathers, thus producing a whitish edge.

In breeding the Fancy Birds great proficiency is shown in judicious pairing. A Mealy Bird and a Jonquil being put together, the produce will not prove a mixture of the qualities of the parent birds, but the character of one or the other will appear distinct, and the produce of the nest will probably show specimen of both kinds. Canaries which are blackish-gray, or grayish-brown on the upper part of the body, and at the lower part greenish-yellow, are the commonest and healthiest birds, and have deviated less from the original stock. Their eyes are dark brown.

Yellow and white canaries have often red eyes, and are not so strong. The reddish-brown canaries, with grayish-brown eyes, are the rarest; and in respect to strength and longevity, occupy an intermediate position between the other two varieties. The bird is valuable in proportion to the regularity with which it is marked. Those, however, in which the body is yellow or white, and the wings, tail, and head - particularly if crested - yellowish-dun, are considered the handsomest birds. Next to these are the Golden Yellow Canaries, with black, blue, or blackish-gray head, wings, and tail; then the blackish bird, with gray or yellow head and collar; next the Yellow Canary, with black or greenish-yellow head, which in this case should have a crest. The gray, or almost black canaries, with yellow breast, and white head and tail, are held in peculiar estimation. Such birds as are irregularly mottled or spotted, as well as those uniform in color, are considered as of but little value