the Island of Wild Dogs
The saga of the introduction of the diminutive song bird, canary, into the homes
of the world as tame pets, is an interesting one. In sixteen century a trading
boat going to Italy stopped at an island, Canis, from the Latin word for wild
dog, which could be found there in profuse numbers, off the coast of Africa. The
dulcet song of the wild birds whetted the interest of the captain. In impromptu
cages hundreds were taken aboard to be traded. The sailors called the gray-green
birds, spotted with yellow, Canaries. As they approached the island of Elba, 
near Italy, a malevolent storm put the boat into the jeopardy of sinking. A 
member of crew released the birds, and the intrepid Canaries instinctively flew
towards the land. The peasants of Elba took the wild birds in as pets. Eventually, 
the canaries found their way into homes throughout Europe, where they were 
domesticated and bred for variety of songs and shades of colors. The Canaries
prevalent today differ greatly from the ones discovered over four hundred years
ago.

to be under a cloud--to be in temporary disgrace or trouble.
Until they discovered the real thief, he was under a cloud.