River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1891-07-09
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TALKING CANARIES.
Feathered Pets that Learned tho Language
of Their Proud Owners.


It seems almost incredible that a
canary 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 that
of canary exhibited in London in 1858.
and il had most remarkable history.
Its parents had previously successfully
reared several broods, but in the early
part of the year in questieA hatched out
"a a. --1------4Ss Strange to say,
they entirely neglected the little enc,
and Immediately rebuilt a nest over
it. The owners of the birds acct
dentally discovered this fact, and re-
moved the forsaken one almost 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 in this manner, separated
from all other birds, caused it to become
very familiar with it's foster parents
and its first singing notes We're entirely
different from those uttered by the ordi-
nary canaries. Being continually ad-
dressed in endearing terms by its mis-
tress, it astonished her one day by sud-
denly repeating the words ''Kissie!
kissie" This became an every day
occurrence, and from time to time
other terms We're added to 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 a human
Titchier'-the name given it by its mis-
tress-"Miss Minnie!' kiss Inc, dear
Minnier' "Kissie! kissie! kissie, sweet
little Titehie!'' ''Wee, gee, gee. Titchie
sweet Titchier' 1t also developed a
faculty for whistling. the inst bar of
God Save the Queen" being it's favor
lite air.
Another talking canary is said to have
been exhibited in London in 1888, but
all authorities agree that il was in no
way equal to the one described
Gray, the noted poet, gives a very
minute account of a canary owned by
a woman who kept coffee house in
Pail Mall. London, and states that this
bird could whistle no less than twenty
different tunes.
The noted Lady Sandwich was a
great lover of birds and hearing of the
wonderful performances of this canary
became very anxious to possess il. She
accordingly deputized her friend Lord
Peterborough to purchase it. lie pro-
ceeded to the coffee house and made
overtures to the owner, offering large
sum of money for her feathered pet
The woman steadfastly refused, saying
she was well-to-do, and would not part
with it under any circumstances.
Peterborough, during the CONVERSE
ton, watched the bird with the great
est attention, aud took note of all its
marks and other distinguishing feat
ures. Seeing his errand was fruitless
one, he determined to compass his ends
by deceit, and after 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 a 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-
customed place, remarked TO 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, if your lordship
will believe me, as sure as I'm Chris
tian, its fact that the poor bird has
moped and never once opened its pretty
lips since the day that the poor king
went away
1t is almost needless to 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.