Dawn Senior, age 13, of Chinle, Arizona, for her question:

What would happen if I let my canary bird go free?

Suppose you were set free to make your own way alone in a primitive jungle. The sights might enchant you and your new freedom to roam might delight you    for a short time. But come lunch time, what would you choose from all the nutritious and nonnutritious, poisonous and non poisonous items offered on the free buffet? Where would you take a safe nap? Which animals would you trust or fear? Naturally this new life would be risky because you have been used to a world in which these problems were solved for you, long ages ago.

Canary ancestors coped with life in the wilds. But our pets have been protected and pampered through many generations. Perhaps they have forgotten the hazards of the wild. True, sometimes a perky pet canary escapes and zooms off for a freedom spree in the garden. But notice how careless he is, compared with the cautious wild birds. Usually he soon senses his problem and feels glad to return to his safe home. But often a canary who gets loose gets lost and can't find his way back. If you set him free to live the rest of his life in the wild, chances are he would not live long to enjoy it.