1 1 8 Bird-keeping. 



altered in plumage and song by a long course of cross 

 breeding ; but the original colour still appears in many 

 of the birds bred in England, and these are generally 

 the strongest birds. 



The principal breeds are distinguished as "Norwich," 

 " Yorkshire," " Belgian," " Lizard," " Cinnamon," 

 "Scotch Fancy," "London Fancy," and "Manchester" 

 or " Lancashire Coppy." Canary societies and ex- 

 hibitions are consequences of and incitements to the 

 popularity of these birds. Prizes are given for " evenly 

 marked " and " unevenly marked " birds : the former 

 have two, four, or six regular markings, on eyes, wings, 

 and tail ; the latter have the same markings, but only 

 on one eye and one wing, or both eyes and one wing, 

 and so on (birds irregularly mottled or blotched on 

 the body are called " variegated "). There are prizes 

 also for clear orange yellow birds, distinguished as 

 " Jonques," and creamy yellow or " Buff " birds, 

 depending on depth of colour, quality of plumage, 

 elegance of shape, etc. The crested varieties are 

 valued for shape and fulness of crest ; it ought to be 

 flat in the crown, full, and regular, and coming well 

 over the beak and eyes of the bird. The most admired 

 are the dark crests ; those which are grey or yellow 

 are' not so pretty. The " Norwich " Canaries are 

 perhaps the most general favourites ; they are rather 

 large, square birds, with massive heads, and renowned 

 for their beauty of plumage and song. The " York- 



