In this context it is worth mentioning the delightfully silly English pre-occupation with training caged birds to sing. The Bird Fancyer's Delight (1717) describes how this may be done with a variety of species including nightingale, bullfinch, blackbird, canary, woodlark, skylark, linnett, parrot, mynah bird and house sparrow by placing them in a darkened cage and playing a suitable tune to them over and over again on a bird flageolet or a small recorder.In passing, I note the use of so-called bird organs in teaching caged birds to sing. 
Nicholas S. Lander
