THE COAL MINER'S
CANARY
By Edward Allan Faine
Copyright © 2000 Edward Allan Faine
Drawing done by Joan C. Waites
Note to readers: For centuries, miners have been taking canary birds down into their mines to warn them of potential disaster. If a tunnel or shaft collapses or is blocked, thereby diminishing the oxygen supply, the canary will be the first to react, usually die, alerting the miners to trouble and to immediately vacate the mine. Over the years, this yellow songbird has saved countless human lives.