CHAPTER XXX 



THE OLD DUTCH CANARY AND DUTCH FRILL 



Although the Canary of Holland by name, 

 this variety is perhaps as much a native of 

 France and Belgium, but its original stock 

 was the old " Dutch," a bird extensively 

 bred in Holland and the north of Belgium 

 as far back as 1700. They were often 

 inaptly termed Dutch-Belgian, and a good 

 specimen was a large handsome bird, the 

 giant of the Canary family. Type beyond 

 erect carriage did not appear much valued, 

 and length and massiveness were the objects 

 of the breeder. These old Dutch i)layed 

 some jjart in establishing our present-day 

 Belgian ; and our English giant, the 

 Lancashire, as well as the present " Dutch 

 Frill," are also offshoots. A good specimen 

 of the old Dutch was eight or more inches 

 in length, with a large, shapely head, a neck 

 of good lengtli and thickness, broad, mas- 

 sive shoulders, not elevated, broad, full 

 chest, long, stout body with long wings and 

 tail, a massive frame, somewhat coarse in 

 finish owing to the feather, though of a fine, 

 soft, silky texture, being a little open and 

 rough through its extreme length. Such 

 was the original " Dutch " as imported in 

 our early days to this country, and some, 

 it is said, still exist in outlying parts of 

 South Holland and Northern Belgium. 



The frilled varietj' known as the " Dutch 

 Frill " has now become prominent on the 

 Continent, while the old-fashioned bird is 

 almost extinct. The greatest care in selec- 

 tion is required to retain these frills, and 

 we have foimd by experiments that one 

 out-cross is suiilcicnt to destroy the proper 

 formation of the frills, and in many 

 instances produce a bird perfectly smooth 

 in phuuage. Of course, if such birds were 

 paired back to the " Frill," it would in 

 time revive the frill ; but it shows the care 



required to maintain tjiis jicculiar form of 

 feather, which is not roughness. 



In shape, Dutch Frills are not unlike the 

 with this dillercnce, Ihey carry their 

 head erect like the Lanca- 

 shire, which takes off the 

 hump-like api>earance of the 

 slioulders, though these are broad and massive. 

 The bird is heavily built, of almost erect car- 



Belgian, 



Points of the 

 Dutch Frills. 



A DUICH FRILL. 



riage, immense length, its heavy mantle and 

 lengthy breast frills greatly adding to its 

 massive appearance. The legs are very long 

 and inclined to be stilty, showing nuich of the 



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