The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1891-07-24
TALKING cANAPiEs.
Featherrd Pets that Learned the Language
of Their Proud Owners.

thclcSs, there have been well nuthenti-
Gated cases in which this seemingly
impossible feat has been accomplished.
The most notable instance was that
Of n canary exhibited In London In 1858,
and IL had a most remarkable history.
Its parents had previously successfully
reared several broods, but In the early
part Of the year in question Matched out
but one of four eggs. Strange 10 say,
they entirely neglected the little ono.
and Immediately rebuilt nest over
IL. The owners Of the birds acct
dentally discovered this fact, and re-
moved the forsaken one almost dead.
IL was placed In flannel by the fire, and
after the greatest attention was restored
and raised by hand. The fact of its
being treated In this manner, separated
from all other birds, caused II 10 become
very familiar with its foster parents
and It's first singing notes were entirely
different from those uttered by the ordi-
nary canaries Being continually ad-
dressed in endearing terms by its mis-
tress, IL astonishcd her one day by sud
denly repeating the words "Kissie!
kissiev This became an every day
occurrence, and from time to time
other terms were added 10 the vo-
cabulary. For hours together, except
during the moulting season, this extra
ordinary bird would call out In tones al
most as clear as II uttered by human
voice such sentences AS Dear sweet
Titchiew-thc name given IL by it's mis-
tress--"Miss Minniei'' kiss me, dear
Minniew "Kissic! ldssie! kissie, sweet
little Titchiew Wee, gee. gee. 1itchie
sweet Titcher' II also developed
faculty for whistling. the first bar of
Good Save the Queen" being its favor
tie air.
Another talking canary is said to have
been exhibited in London I'm 1898 but
all authorities agree that IL was in no
way equal To the one described.
Gray, the noted poet, gives n very
minute account of "A canary owned by
a woman who kept IA coffee house in
Pail Mall, London, and states that this
bird could whistle no less than twenty
different tunes.
The noted Lady Sandwich was n
great lover OF birds and hearing of the
wonderful performances of this canary
became very anxious To possess IL. She
accordingly deputizcd her friend Lord
Peterborough To purchase IL, He pro-
ceeded To the coffee house and made
overtures to the owner, offering large
sum OF money for her feathercd pet.
The woman stcadfastly refused, saying
she was well.to-do. and would not part
with IL under any circumstances
Peterborough, during the conversa-
ton, watched the bird with the great
est attention, and took note of all its
marks and other distinguishing feat
ures Seeing his errnnd was IA fruitless
one, he determined to compass his ends
by deceit, and after IA long search sue
ceeded In purchasing bird which was
counterpart OF the one coveted.
Shortly after the first interview he
sauntered into the coffee-house and
when favorable opportunity present
ed itself slipped the wrong bird into the
cage, the right one into his pocket, and
FASTENED To Lady SANDWICHES domicile.
This was about the time of the revolu-
ton, and many months later he dropped
into the coffee house, and seeing the
substituted bird still hanging In its ac-
customcd place, remarked 10 the pro-
prietor:
"Ah, my dear woman, guess you
have often regretted your refusal OF the
money offered you for that bird"
Money" exclaimed the old lady;
mo, nor ten times that amount would
now persuade me to part with the dear
little creature! Why, II your lordship
will believe me, as sure as I'm Chris
tian, its a fact that the poor bird has
moped and never once opened its pretty
lips since the day that the poor king
went away
II Is almost needless 10 state that his
lordship did not disabuse her mind OF
this notion and she probably died firm
in the belief of the remarkable fealty
OF her pet.-Detroit Free Press