254 The Canary Book. 



canary; but for some reason or other prime specimens appear 

 to be getting very scarce. I imagine this has arisen in con- 

 sequence of the great demand during late years for crossing 

 with the Norwich variety to obtain increased size of bodies 

 and crest properties; and the majority of the Lancashire 

 breeders appear to have unwittingly disposed of their best 

 birds at tempting prices, and kept inferior stock to breed 

 from themselves. It is the greatest mistake a fancier could 

 possibly commit, for in addition to the best blood procurable, 

 you require the best specimens you can obtain to produce 

 high-class youngsters. Never forget this. 



In Rochdale, Oldham, Manchester, and other Lancashire 

 towns, this variety of canary is still held in the highest esti- 

 mation, and nowhere else can be found birds of greater merit 

 than have been produced at one or other of the towns named. 

 The Lancashire Coppy is to a Lancashire man what a Scotch 

 Fancy is to a Scotchman, the beau ideal of his highest fancy, 

 the concentrated reality of his keenest imagination. 



BREEDING. In order to breed Al specimens of this variety 

 you must first procure a high-class Coppy cock, a bird of 

 great length and substance, a strong, bold, upstanding bird, 

 with a massive head, and an abundance of crest, well arranged, 

 expansive, and of good quality and form, -and in addition to 

 these properties you want a good constitution, for it is useless 

 to breed from diseased or unhealthy birds, however good they 

 may be. Pair this bird with a thoroughly well-bred 'hen, a 

 crested plain-head, large in- body, with plenty of length, broad 

 in back and shoulders, with a massive skull, a neat beak, a 

 stout neck and full breast, good substantial legs, and a long 

 strait tail set well on, and with an abundance of head and 

 body feather; but the first-named is most essential, it should, 

 when turned back, almost reach the end of the beak, and 

 should hang well over the eyes and the back of the head, 

 almost like a tight-fitting crest. You may if you choose put 

 two such hens with the cock. This is pair one, but you want 

 about ten pairs at least if you hope to be successful. You 

 if yon choose use a plain -head cock and a Coppy hen 



