THE TALKING CANARY BIRD.
Wns:N the town is flocking to see a man fondling lions and tigers on account of the wonder of his not being torn to pieces, surely a canary bird that speaks as distinctly as any parrot, magpie, or starling, that
ever mimicked human utterance, is a legitimate object for popular cu- riosity; and such a marvel is now exhibiting at the Cosmorama Rooms in Regent Street. The loquacious canary articulates with singular neatness and fl ueney, and with as much ease and volubility as he warbles,— though his vocabulary is very limited, of course. In the midst of a snatch of song, you hear him pronounce the words, "Sweet pretty little Dicky"—" Pretty Queen"—" Dicky dear," and other fond appella- dons bestowed upon hint by his mistress: he also makes a chirping imitation of a bell ringing, and. calls "Mary." Be really seems to take delight in exercising his powers of mimicry : he requires little encou- ragement, and the presence of strangers rather excites his loquacity than otherwise : during our short visit the feathered darling was very lavish of his accomplishments both of song and speech. His note is full and loud, and the vocal sounds are guttural. The only peculiarity we noticed in the little creature, except that he appeared remarkably lively, and in a manner intelligent, was a fulness at the throat, where time feathers are very much ruffled by constant action of the muscles of the larynx. The talking propensity is said to have been developed spontaneously at six months old, and matured by voluntary practice with only the in- citement of frequent repetition of the sounds : the bird is now three years old, was taken early from the nest and reared by hand : and from the first he was made a pet of, and allowed the range of a drawing- room, being only caged at night. His food is the same as that which his fellows in captivity generally eat, and he is very fond of his bath. It is a curious phenomenon certainly,—interesting to the naturalist, and entertaining to all.
Previous page
