Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-07-23
CANARY PETS.
THEY LEARNED THE LANGUAGE
OF THEIR OWNERS.
It Seems Incredible, but There Are Well
Anthem ticated CRses-One Can
whistle - bar of GOD
Save the Queen"

L seems almost incredible That ca
nary could be taught to speak, never
theless, there have been well authenti-
Gated cases in which this seemingly
impossible feat has been accomplished.
The most notable instance was tha--
of canary exhibited in London in
1858, and it had most remarkable
history. Its parents had previously
successfully reared several broods, but
in the early part of the year in ques-
ton Matched out but one of four eggs.
Strange to say, they entirely neglected
the little one, and Immediately rebuilt
q nest over it. The owners OF the
bird accidentally discovered this fact.
and removed the forsallen one almoss
dead. 1t was placed in flannel by the
fire, and after the greatest attention
was restored and raised by hand. The
fact of its being treated III this manner,
separated from all other birds, caused
| it to become very familiar with its fos-
| ter parents and its first singing notes
were entirely different from those ut
| tered by ordinary canaries Being
continually addressed in endearing
terms by its mistress, it astOnished her
one day by suddenly repeating the
words .'Kissie! kissie!" This became
an every day occurrence, and f'om
time to time other terms were added
to its vocabulary. For hours together.
except during the moulting season,
this extraordinary bird would call out
in tones almost as clear as if uttered
by human voice such sentences us
"Dear sweet Titchic."-the name
given it by its mistress Kiss Min
nie." kiss me, dear Mnnien' "Kis-
sic! kissie! kissie! sweet little Titchie"
"Wee. gee. gee Titchie, sweet itch
ic.r' 1t also developed faculty for
whistling, the first bar Of God Save
the Queen being its favorite air.
Another talking canary is said to
have been exhibited in London in
1888. but all the authorities agree
that it was in no way equal to the one
described.
Gray, the noted poet, gives very
minute account of a canary owned by
Il woman who kept coffee house in
Pail Mall, London. and states that this
bird could whistle no less than twenty
Inherent tunes.
, The noted Lady Sandwich was 6
great lover of birds, and hearing o
the wonderful performances of this
canary became very anxious to possess
it. She accordingly deputized he
friend Lord Peterborough to purchase
it. He proceeded to the coffee hous'
and made overtures to the owner
| l,r Of for h
: feathered pet. The woman steadfastl.
. refused saying she was well-to-do
: and would not part with it under an,
| circumstances.
Peterborough, during the converse
: ton, watched the bird with the great
I est attention, and took note OF all II
Q marks and other distinguishing fea
t lures. Seeing his errand was a fruit
less one, he determined to compass hi
= ends by deceit, and aftera long scare
succeeded in purchasing bird whic
was a counterpart of the one coveted
i Shortly after the first interview h
sauntered into the cotfee-house, an
when a favorable opportunity pre-
Il sented itself slipped the wrong bir
n into the cage. the right one into h
# pocket. and FASTENED to Lady SAM
- wich's domicile. This was about tn
time of the revolution, and man
: months later he dropped into II
% coffee house. and seeing the subst
S tuted bird still hanging in its acei
n toned place remarked to the propt
il etOr:
r. "Ah, my dear woman. | guess y'
have often regretted your refusal
% the money offered you for that bird
III Money" exclaimed the old lad
:, mo. nor ten times that amount wou
t, now persuade me to part with the de-
J. little creature! Why, if your lordsh
:, will believe me, as sure "a I'm Il chri
y tian. its fact that the poor bird h
~ moped and never once opened
H. pretty lips since the day thai the pc
lie king went away
Of 1t is almost needless to state til
N his lordship did not disabuse hey mi
=, of this notion and she probably dl
firm in the belief of the remarkat
NJ fealtv OF her pet.