The origins of the Nursery Rhyme, Mary had a pretty bird, have not been established. Can you help us identify the the place of origin or history of this lesser known children's nursery rhyme?
The History of the Canary The Nursery Rhyme is about the canary, the most widely kept pet singing bird. The Canary bird is named after the Canary Islands. Due to the era of Explorations in the 16th Century canary birds were taken back to the courts of Europe. The practice of taking Canaries to work originated during the Industrial Revolution when their musical song could be heard above the sounds of loud machinery. This practice is most associated with taking canaries down coal mines where the birds would die if exposed to gas fumes thus warning the miners that they were in danger. |