Mis cell a neous. 201 



leading shows ; and the agent, who should himself be a good 

 judge, honest and trustworthy, is paid according to the success 

 of his purchases, viz., by giving him a percentage on the 

 winnings of the birds during the first show season. Ten per 

 cent, is the usual sum paid, or 20 per cent, on the amount 

 of purchase money. The birds should be bought subject to 

 approval, but this cannot always be stipulated for, and some 

 breeders will not sell one good bird without selling several 

 inferior ones, as they consider a good bird should sell several, 

 but in this case the price should be regulated accordingly. 

 The time to purchase is in the autumn, August and September. 

 We have known as much as 35 to have been paid for a 

 single Crested Norwich canary, of course, a successful prize 

 winner at the principal shows ; and we knew of a case where 

 50 was offered and refused for a very rare specimen, said 

 to be the best ever seen at that day. He certainly was a 

 grand bird, with an immense crest. I had the honour of 

 judging him at one of the late Crystal Palace shows, and 

 in his class he simply stood alone. Some of the very best 

 specimens out, however, have been bought at prices in first 

 instances at between 5 and 8, before they have been 

 moulted and exhibited, and this is considered a good price 

 with all the attendant risks at that time. I am now speaking 

 exclusively of Crested Norwich canaries, which for some 

 reason, for which it is difficult to account, have of late years 

 brought much higher prices than specimens of any other 

 variety. These speculative fanciers get hold of all the best 

 specimens procurable, principally in the way pointed out, or 

 by attending the first shows of the season and keeping their 

 eyes and wits in full play, and claiming all birds possessed 

 of extraordinary merit at prices up to 10. There are some 

 exhibitors who have written agreements with breeders to have 

 the first refusal of any birds they breed. Some astute 

 exhibitors employ popular judges to look out for "anything 

 good " that is likely to win prizes, and either to purchase 

 for them, or " put them on " the track for securing such 

 birds, and for such services heavy commissions are paid. In 



