Animals: Rollers

As Crooner Alice Faye differs from operatic Soprano Kirsten Flagstad, so differs the beauteous yellow parlor canary from that less spectacular-looking musical technician, the Glucke Roller Canary. Ordinary house canaries just sing. Rollers roll. They trill and pipe some twelve identifiably different kinds of music. For 400 years eager teachers have bred away their natural song, using organ music to teach them Gluckes and Rolls, using running water to teach them the elegant Deep Bubbling Water Tour. Modern breeders lef young birds learn by listening to older champions. Some trainers have tried...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!