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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1855 Excerpt:...exotic species, the best known is the common Canary bird (Carduelis canaria), a native of the Canary Islands, where, and in Madeira, it is still found wild. The wild bird is very different in appearance from the domesticated varieties with which we are fimiliar, being of a grayish colour; but it is said by Dr. Heinckin to be a beautiful songster. Like the other Finches, it builds a nest with roots, moss, and feathers, usually in tall hushes and trees; it lays from four to sis eggs, and is said to breed five or six times in the season. This favourite cage-bird was introduced into Europe in the sixteenth century, and has since always been highly prized. It is now bred in great quantities in large establishments in Germany, whence the greater part of Europe is supplied with Canary birds. Several other exotic species are also brought to this country. Of these, the commonest are the Amadavade (FringUla amandava), and the Rice bird or Java Sparrow (Oryzornis oryzivora). The former is a very small bird, scarcely four inches in length, of a brownish colour above, paler beneath, and spotted with white; the rump is red, and the quill feathers of the tail and wings black. The bill is also of a fine red colour. This elegant little bird is common in most parts of southern Asia, whence it is imported into Europe in great quantities. The Java Sparrow is a considerably larger bird than the preceding, and of a delicate bluish colour, with the top of the head black, the cheeks and the bill red. It is a native of Java and other parts of Asia, where it appears to be exceedingly abundant; it feeds to a great extent on rice. The Emberizince, or Buntings, approach very closely to the Finches. They have a conical, acute bill, with the ridge of the upper mandible nearly straight, a...