Definition of "canary-bird" [canary-bird]

• An oscine passerine bird of the family Fringillidæ, so called because indigenous to the Canary islands; a kind of finch, Fringilla canaria, or Carduelis canaria, one of the commonest and best-known cage-birds, everywhere kept and bred in confinement. (noun)
• Same as bird-plant. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "Yes, it WAS the canary-bird; and Eliza saw it; and"
• "Sarah; and to look at the new tortoise-shell kitten basking on the kitchen hearth; and to speak to the canary-bird, which a sudden blaze from the fire had startled on its perch; and then she betook herself to the parlour."
• "She smiled frequently, and was the complete canary-bird in her manner of thanking the hostess, Mrs. Dave Dyer."