or the Grand Canary, an island in the Atlantic Ocean, about 180 miles from the coast of Africa. It is about 100 miles in circumference, and 33 in diameter. It is a fruitful island, and famous for the wine that bears its name. It also abounds with apples, melons, oranges, citrons, pomegranates, figs, olives, peaches, and plantains. The fir and palm trees are the most common. The towns are, Canary the capital, Guadalera, and Geria.

or CIVIDAD DE PALMAS, is the capital of the island of Canaria, with an indifferent castle, and a bishop's see. It has also a court of inquisition, and the supreme council of the rest of the Canary-islands; as also four convents, two for men, and two for women. The town is about three miles in compass, and contains 12,000 inhabitants. The houses are only one story high, and flat at the top; but they are well built. The cathedral is a handsome structure. W. Long.

Canary-Islands, are situated in the Atlantic ocean, over against the empire of Morocco in Africa. They were formerly called the Fortunate Islands, on account of the temperate healthy air, and excellent fruits. The land is very fruitful, for both wheat and barley produce 130 for one. The cattle thrive well, and the woods are full of all sorts of game. The Canary singing birds are well known all over Europe. There are here sugar-canes in great abundance; but the Spaniards first planted vines here, from whence we have the wine called Canary or Sack.

These islands were not entirely unknown to the ancients; but they were a long while forgot, till John de Betencourt discovered them in 1402. It is said they were first inhabited by the Phoenicians, or Carthaginians, but on no certain foundation; nor could the inhabitants themselves tell from whence they were derived; on the contrary, they did not know there was any other country in the world. Their language, manners, and customs, had no resemblance to those of their neighbours. However, they were like the people on the coast of Barbary in complexion. They had no iron. After the discovery, the Spaniards soon got possession of them all, under whose dominions they are to this day, except Madeira, which belongs to the Portuguese. The inhabitants are chiefly Spaniards; though there are some of the first people remaining, whom they call Guanchers, who are somewhat civilized by their intercourse with the Spaniards. They are a hardy, active, bold people, and live on the mountains. Their chief food is goat's milk. Their complexion is tawny, and their noses flat. The Spanish vessels, when they sail for the West Indies, always rendezvous at these islands, going and coming. Their number is 12. 1. Algaranza; 2. Canaria; 3. Ferro; 4. Fuerteventura; 5. Gomera; 6. Graciosa; 7. Lanzarotta; 8. Madera; 9. Palma; 10. Roceca; 11. Salvages; 12. Teneriff. West longitude from 12. to 21. north latitude from 27. 30. to 29. 30.

Canary-Bird. See Fringilla. These birds are much admired for their singing, and take their name from the place from whence they originally came, viz. the Canary-islands; but of late years there is a sort of birds brought from Germany, and especially from Tirol, and therefore called German birds, which are much better than the others; though both are supposed to have originally come from the same place. The cocks never grow fat, and by some country people cannot be distinguished from common green-birds; though the Canary-birds are much lustier, have a longer tail, and differ much in the heaving of the passages of the throat when they sing. These birds being so much esteemed for their song, are sometimes sold at a high price, according to the goodness and excellency of their notes; so that it will be always advisable to hear one sing before he is bought. In order to know whether he is in good health, take him out of the store-cage, and put him in a clean cage by himself; if he stand up boldly, without crouching or shrinking in his feathers, look with a brisk eye, and is not subject to clap his head under his wing, it is a sign that he is in good health; but the greatest matter is to observe his dunging: if he bolts his tail like a nightingale after he has dunged, it is a sign he is not in good health, or at least that he will soon be sick; but if his dung be very thin like water, or of a flimsy white without any blackness in it, it is a sign of approaching death. When in perfect health, his dung lies round and hard, with a fine white on the outside, dark within, and dries quickly; though a feedbird seldom dungs so hard, unless he is very young.

Canary-birds are subject to many diseases, particularly imposthumus, which affect the head, cause them to fall suddenly from the perch, and die in a short time, if not speedily cured. The most approved medicine is an ointment made of fresh butter and capon's grease melted together. With this the top of the bird's head is to be anointed for two or three days, and it will dissolve the imposthume: but if the medicine has been too long delayed, then, after three or four times anointing, see whether the place of his head be soft; and if so, open it gently, and let out the matter, which will be like the yolk of an egg; when this is done, anoint the place, and the bird will be cured. At the same time he must have figs with his other food, and in his water a slice or two of liquorice, with white sugar-candy.

Some are so curious as to breed these birds in Britain; and these have excelled all others. Such of the Canary-birds as are above three years old are called ruins; those above two, are called crisses; those of the first year that the old ones bring up, are called branchets; those that are new-hewn and cannot feed themselves, are called puffers; and those that are bred up by hand, nestlings.