The Modern Scotch Fancy. 249 



blood lias been mingled with the blood of these aristocrats 

 of the north, as this is a colour that will make its appear- 

 ance in future generations, when once it is implanted in the 

 blood. 



The object of the modern breeder is to get a bird with 

 a fine sleek head, a neat back, and long well- tapered neck, 

 with plenty of forward reach, and tightly fitted to the 

 shoulders. The shoulders should be prominent, nicely rounded 

 and well filled up, leaving no hollow ; the back should be 

 round, or circular and -narrow ; the wings should be long, 

 well formed, close fitting to the sides, and meet at the tips; 

 the chest should be well hollowed out, showing 110 prominence; 

 the under- body from neck to vent should be perfectly con- 

 cave, or as it is more generally termed, "well scooped out"; 

 the legs should be set well back on the body, and not show 

 too prominently; the tail should be long, thin, and tapering 

 to a point, not fish-tailed, well padded at the vent, and brought 

 well under and around the perch. The bird should display 

 much nerve, and travel from perch to perch with a rapid 

 and graceful motion, pulling itself into position each time it 

 alights on the perch, and displaying all its best qualities in 

 the fullest perfection. 



The faults in a bird of this variety are here summarised: 

 A prominent thick forehead, wide skull, a thick or- short 

 neck (which causes the bird to elevate its head too high), 

 a heavy or pouter chest, a too heavily feathered breast, flat 

 shoulders, a straight back, or back too broad, or a hollow 

 between the shoulders and forming a sort of channel, .short 

 thick-set wings, or wings that cross or hang loosely, a tail 

 that is short, straight, stiff, or badly filled up at the vent, or 

 loose and untidy or deficient in feather at the base, too 

 much thigh or a want of feathering on the thighs, a short 

 reach, a want of nerve or action, and a stiffness or sluggish- 

 ness in motion. 



The feathers on the body should be smooth and tight, and 

 it is scarcely necessary to remark that the .health and con- 

 dition should be 'perfect in a show specimen. 



