Lying off the northwest coast of Africa are two small groups of islands, the Canary Islands and the Islands of Madeira. These tiny specks of land are the habitat of the little green finch, or wild canary.

The song of these canaries so appealed to sailors who visited the islands that quantities of the colorful birds were captured and carried back to Europe. By the early 16th century, these song birds were prized possessions of many noblemen.

Today the sweet song of the canary is enjoyed all over the world. In the patient hands of breeders, the canary has evolved into many forms and colors. By 1900 there were twenty-seven distinct varieties and types of canary birds.

In Germany there is the famous Roller singing bird. There is also the peculiar Dutch bird with all its feathers turned the wrong way, the round-shouldered Belgian and Scotch Fancies, and the beautiful English birds—the Lancashire Coppy with its great crest, the Yorkshire, the Norwich, and the Border Fancy. Some, like the London Fancy which had exquisite orange and black markings on the head and tail, unfortunately are already extinct.

The British, who breed their birds mainly for beauty of plumage and form, are among the greatest fanciers in the world. They have hundreds of societies organized for the purpose of perfecting particular types of birds. Regular shows are held all over the United Kingdom. Dozens of professional judges are required for the two large shows in the Royal Horticultural Hall, Westminster. In December 1948, hundreds of visitors were turned away from the Crystal Palace for lack of room when the National Exhibition staged a record showing of 5430 birds. A second huge exhibit at the Crystal Palace in early 1949 was also filled to capacity.

The majority of British fanciers are working men who raise canaries as a hobby. Championship birds frequently sell for high prices. At one exhibition £100 was refused for a canary.

The German breeders were the first to organize the sale of canaries on a large scale. In the years following World War I, German bird brokers bought canaries from thousands of individual breeders, collected them at port cities, and shipped them to New York. The birds were sold so cheaply that even after paying an import duty of 50 cents a bird the New York wholesalers could resell them profitably for less than $2.00 each. These birds were the marvelous singers one used to buy for $5.00 or less. Needless to say, the German exporters controlled the popular market. When importations from Germany were halted by World War II, American breeders stepped into the breach. It is doubtful that our fanciers will ever give up this interesting and profitable hobby.

The other great German contribution to the canary hobby was the development of the roller singer. The first rollers to receive recognition were those developed some years prior to 1890 by a poor German miner named Trute. The birds which he bred and trained in his spare time were the ancestors of the famous “Trute strain.” Erntzes, Seiferts, and Volkmans were other German pioneers. Over the years since, the roller singer has become popular everywhere.

There is a vast difference between the song of the natural chopper and the roller singer. The natural chopper might be likened to a folk singer—the roller to an operatic star. The chopper’s song is a free, natural expression of happiness which anyone can appreciate; while the roller’s song, like the operatic aria, is best understood and loved by listeners who have developed a keen ear for subtle distinctions in expression and tone.

Rollers sing from their throats with their beaks almost closed. The roller’s song is actually unnatural in that it is not characteristic of the wild canary. It has become a trait, however, as a result of endless training and care in selective breeding. The roller’s song is composed of rolls or “tours” of differing cadence and pitch which are things of beauty to the hobbyist who has cultivated an ear for them. Low pitched tones are considered most valuable. The more common tours are called Hollow Roll, Schockel, Hollow Bell, Water Roll, Glucke, Bell Glucke, Water Glucke, Bell Roll, and Flute.

The chopper canary’s song is natural. The standards set up for the chopper require only that he be a free and frequent singer; have a sweet tone; be a pretty bird from the standpoint of feathering, color and form; and be lively and energetic. A chopper sings with open beak, head back, throat swollen—the picture of happiness.

CANARIES FOR COMPANIONSHIP

There is gladness for every member of the family in the living, loving, happy companionship of a canary. A canary in the home helps to build character in children. It teaches kindness. Its care gives the boy or girl a feeling of responsibility. Interest in Nature is encouraged. Imagination is developed. Children acquire a protective instinct that overcomes their tendency to mischievous cruelty. When the children have left home, a pair of canaries will do much to overcome Mom’s and Dad’s loneliness.