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 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. 15° 20'. N. Lat. 28° 4'.

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 Batencourt 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 dominion 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. Their chief food is goat's milk. Their complexion is tawny, and their noses flat. The population, according to Humboldt, in 1792, was 174,000. The Spanish vessels, when they sail for the West Indies, always rendezvous at these islands, going and coming. Their number is 12. 1. Alegranza; 2. Canaria; 3. Ferro; 4. Fuerteventura; 5. Gomera; 6. Graciosa; 7. Lanzarotta; 8. Madeira; 9. Palma; 10. Roca; 11. Salvages; 12. Teneriff. West longitude from 12° to 21° north latitude from 27° 30' to 29° 30'. See Canary Islands, Supplement.

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 in 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 always be 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 danging: if he bolts his tail like a nightingale, after he has danged, 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 slimy 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 seed-bird seldom dangs so hard, unless he be very young.

Canary-birds are subject to many diseases, particularly imposthumes, 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.

Canary-birds are distinguished by different names at different times and ages: such as are about three years old are called runts; those above two are named criffs; those of the first year under the care of the old ones, are termed branchers; those that are new-flown, and cannot feed themselves, pushers; and those brought up by hand, nestlings.

The Canary-birds may be bred with us; and, if treated with proper care, they will become as vigorous and healthful as in the country from whence they have their name. The cages in which these birds are kept are to be made either of walnut-tree or oak, with bars of wire; because these, being woods of strength, do not require to be used in large pieces. The common shape of cages, which is cylindric, is very improper for these birds; for this allows little room to walk, and without that the birds usually become melancholy. The most proper of all shapes is the high and long, but narrow.

If these birds eat too much, they grow over-fat, lose their shape, and their singing is spoiled; or at least they become so idle, that they will scarce ever sing. In this case their victuals are to be given them in a much smaller quantity, and they will by this means be recovered by degrees to all their beauty, and will sing as at first.

At the time that they are about to build their nests, there must be put into their cages some hay, dried thoroughly in the sun; with this must be mixed some moss dried in the same manner, and some stag's hair; and great care is to be taken of breeding the young, in the article of food. As soon as the young birds are eight days old, or somewhat more, and are able to eat and pick up food of themselves, they are to be taken out of the cage in which they were hatched, and each put separately into another cage, and hung up in a room where it may never have an opportunity of hearing the voice of any other bird. After they have been kept thus about eight days, they are to be excited. Canary-birds are various in their notes; some having a sweet song, others a lowish note, others a long song, which is best, as having the greatest variety of notes; but they sing chiefly either the titlark or nightingale notes. See Song of Birds.