JUDGING, REPORTING AND TECHNICAL TERMS 193 



Catalogues. 



to say that an award is wrong, or that some 

 other bird ought to have received it. and 

 not support the statement by well-reasoned 

 argument. An honest expert's report upon 

 a class, differing from the judge, may often 

 start a discussion on important points that 

 may clear away difficulties and perhaps 

 affect breeding operations through the 

 following season. 



Catalogues showing the prize-winners 

 should be on sale soon after judging is 

 completed, Vnit until these 

 are ready there shoidd be a 

 supply without the awards. 



A certain number of stewards should 

 always be about the show, keeping a 

 watchful eye on the exhibits and seeing 

 that all is well. 



Before passing from these general cha]>- 

 ters to detailed treatment of various breeds 

 and varieties, it will be con- 

 Ternfs venient to present a glossary of 

 some of the terms employed by 

 fanciers and breeders in descriptions of 

 birds, and a reference to the diagram of 

 the ornithological regions of the bodv of 

 a small bird on page 148 will assist our 

 explanations. 



Action. — This appUes particularly to tlic 

 regulated hop of the Scotch Fancy from perch to 

 perch and the tremulous motion of the neck 

 of this bird and of the Belgian Canary as they 

 pull themselves up into position when Iheir 

 cage is taken in the hand. 



Awry. — A twist in feathers which ought to 

 lie straight, or an unnatural twist of the neck 

 or otlier part not characteristic of the l)ird. 



Bald Face. — A patch of light colom- run- 

 ning into the dark colour of the cheek of a 

 Lizard Canary, often encircling the eye. 



Blaze. — The red on the face of a Goldfinch 

 or Hybrid. 



Boaty. — An expression applied to York- 

 shires with a falling away at the sides of the 

 breast, giving a boat-like appearance to the 

 under body. 



Bottle-shaped. — A term applied to York- 

 •shires wlien the body lacks symmetry of cut 

 and has too much of a sameness all round. 



Braced-wings. — ^Vings carried close to 

 the body in a neat, compact manner, giving a 

 smart, even finish, and good carriage. 



Breast. — This term refers to the extreme 

 ])oint where the breast-bone terminates and 

 the lower part of the neck begins. 

 25 



Breed. — Any variety of bird in all its dis- 

 tinct characteristics. The breed includes all 

 the varieties of colour which are found in it. 



Broad-tail. — A tail which is wide at the 

 root, or base, as well as at the end or tip not 

 closely folded. 



Broken-cap. — Dark feathers intermingled 

 with light crown or cap of a Lizard Canary's 

 head ; it matters not whether there is only 

 a dark feather or two, or the greater portion 

 be dark. 



Broken Green. — A bird with the greater 

 portion of its colour green, but with a light 

 patch or patches in wing, tail, or on body. 



Broken-lafter." — .\ term used freely in 

 the North of England for a broken eggery ; 

 that is, when a hen lays part of a clutch of 

 eggs, say two, and then misses several days or 

 possibly a week, then docs not sit, and then lays 

 the other portion of the clutch or another com- 

 plete clutch ; afterwards settling down to sit 

 in the usual way. 



Brood. — A family of young Ijirds from one 

 nest. 



Browed and Beetle-browed. — Terms ap- 

 plied when the feathers over the eyes have a 

 pronounced overhanging appearance, giving 

 a frowning, sullen appearance. A term freely 

 used in describing the head and head feathers 

 of Crestbreds and Lancashire Plainheads. 



Bull-necked. — Indicating a short, full neck, 

 an important characteristic in some varieties. 



Burnished. — When the surface of the feather 

 possesses a rich, glossy surface, as if polished. 



Carriage. — The bearing, attitude, or style 

 of a bird. 



Centre. — Applicable to the centre of a 

 Crested Canary's head, from which the feathers 

 of the crest radiate evenly all round the head 

 and over the beak. 



Cere. — The soft, pliable skin immediately 

 round the eye which acts as a shutter or lid 

 to that organ. 



Chick. — A newly hatched bird. 



Cinnamon. — hidicating the colour of cer- 

 tain l)irds after that name. 



Cinnamon-green. — A shade of green in 

 Canaries produced by crossing birds of cinna- 

 mon colour with birds not cinnamon colour or 

 cinnamon bred, some of the offspring from 

 which carry a distinct cinnamon tone in their 

 green colour. 



Cinnamon-marked. — A bird with markings 

 of a cinnamon shade of colour. 



Circle. — Indicating the convex outline of 

 a Scotch Fancy when in position. 



Circular-crest. — The desired round, even 

 shape of a good crest for show purposes. 



Clean-cut. — A term used freely in describ- 

 ing a neat, harmonious finish to the shape of a 

 bird ; the outline clearly defined. 



