Here, a sweet little Halloween treat, filled with heart as well as haunted memory. HAVE A WONDERFUL HALLOWEEN!
19th century coal miners would traditionally take canarys in cages down into the mine with them. The birds would act as an early warning system for carbon monoxide gas. When the canary stopped singing the miner would know that he had to escape the chamber he was in. This particular yellow canary was obviously a favoured pet as well as a working bird.
Inscribed with the legend : 'In Memory of Little Joe. Died November 3rd 1875. Aged 3 Years'
(from The British Antique Dealers' Association via the blog Dream Tree)
