CHAP. LVII.
To know the Canarie-bird from others, and what diseases she is subiect vnto.
YOu shall vnderstand that the Canarie-bird is brought from the Islands called the Canaries, and is of much account amongst vs, because shee both commeth out of a strange countrie, as also because she is a good singing bird. She is knowne from others by this, because she continu∣eth and heaueth the passages of her throate, in singing, more than any other birds doe: besides, she is of a lesse bodie, and hath a longer taile; in so much as the lesser they bee, the perfecter they be. On the contrarie, the great ones which sometimes turne their heads behind them, after the manner of fooles, and for that cause are called fooles, are the worst, and come from the Isles of Palm•• virte. Wher∣fore the nature of the Canari••-bird is not to bee fat, or to maintaine and keepe her flesh well. She is verie subiect vnto Impostumes, which happen vpon her head, and those of a yellow colour, and they must bee annointed with butter or hennes grease about three times: then leauing off to doe any more vnto them, for the space of three daies, you shall then take them in hand againe, and open them gently, whereupon you shall see comming out of them thicke matter, like vnto an egs yelk. Which done, you shall annoint the said Impostumes very well with the foresaid grease, and thus you shall doe as often as they shall returne. This bird is likewise trou∣bled with melancholie sometimes, and then the end of her rumpe would be cut and wrung out very well, giuing her of these herbes, lettuses, beets, and such like. But and if for all these things, you see that the Canarie-bird doth not amend the better; you shall coole her with a little of the seed of melons, giuing it her to eate, and you shall put into her water-pot a little Sugar-candie, twice, or thereabout, and that so much as may endure and l••st one whole weeke: which may be done likewise when shee is in health twice a moneth.
When the Canari••-bird mouteth, giue her of the seeds of melons, and sprinkle her with a little good wine, in such sort as hath beene said in speaking of other birds, and that twise or thrice a weeke, setting her afterward in the Sunne, and by this meanes, you shall make her mout more properly. This course you shall likewise pra∣ctise if she haue lice, to kill the vermine that would wast and consume her, that so she may be preserued.