CHAPTER VIII. 



THE BELGIAN. 



ORIGIN SIZE. In my descriptions of the different varieties I 

 will begin with that known as the Belgian canary, which, as its 

 name denotes, is a native of Belgium. These birds are bred there 

 in large quantities, and exported to different parts of Europe 

 and America, and several of our colonies. I have in various 

 ways endeavoured to obtain some information bearing on the 

 origin of these remarkable birds, but without eliciting anything 

 reliable; the oldest fanciers in Belgium seem unable to give 

 any satisfactory account of them ; I must, therefore, decline 

 to hazard any remarks of a speculative or theoretical nature in 

 regard to them, and will simply treat them in the character of an 

 established variety. This variety of canary has been known and 

 admired in our country for more than forty years, and they 

 are considered, and, I think, justly so, the nobility of the canary 

 race. The principal recommendation of a bird of this description 

 is its peculiar form, its large size and graceful and commanding 

 contour. It is a large bird, and is variously estimated to 

 measure from G^in. to 7^in. or even Sin. in length, from the 

 point of the bill to the tip of the tail; but few will be found 

 to exceed 7in., which may be taken as an average size. It is 

 a difficult matter to measure a bird of this kind except by 

 the eye, and that is an uncertain and unreliable " rule ; " besides, 

 much depends on the health, condition, and season of the year 

 for these birds to show to the greatest advantage; and, although 

 size is an important consideration in birds of this class, contour 

 is much more so. 



