We must say that this bird enjoys cage-life, for it seems very happy in its narrow home. It becomes quite tame and fearless, grows to love its mistress, and sings with a freedom that speaks of a joyful heart. In its wild state it is fond of bathing, and it is needful to give it a frequent bath in its cage, if it is to be kept well and tuneful.
The cage-canary is a home bird, unlike the bird of the free air. It has been made over by man and fitted for its new life. Early in its cage career the country people around Innsbruck, in the Tyrol, became active in raising these little vocalists, and from there they spread to Germany and the Netherlands. To-day they are raised in large numbers in the Hartz Mountain region of Germany, where great care is taken in teaching them to sing. They are also raised and taught in other countries.
The canary is very ready to take on new songs and its trainer is careful to keep it from falling into bad habits. If a bird happens to hear a bad note it is apt to take it up and it is hard to break it of the fault. So the good singers are kept where they cannot hear those of poor voice, and a number of the finest singers are kept as models to teach the young birds how to sing.
Bird lovers have their tastes. Some like a loud song, with high notes and long trills. Others prefer a soft, warbling, flute-like note, with clear flourishes of song, and no one likes these to be broken by a sharp "Chap-chap" or "tsi-tsi" or other vocal fault.
It takes nearly a year for a canary to gain its education. In that time it will learn several airs. Some of these may be forgotten, and then the model songster is brought near so that they may be learned again. It is said that some canaries have even been taught to speak a few words.
Sometimes a bird that has a shrill or too sharp note is kept in the shade until this is corrected. And the canary often sings better in the little cages of the dealers than in the large, fine cages of its final home. Thus singing birds as well as singing people have their own fancies.
Rape and hemp seeds are the principal food of these birds. A little flax-seed is also good for them, as it helps to fatten them. They are fond of flowering groundsel and chickweed and a very small supply of these is good for their health. They also have a sweet tooth and are very fond of sugar.