260 The Canary Book. 



the Cinnamon variegated, and the common breed of canary ; and 

 some breeders, who are fond of rich bright colours, have ventured 

 to introduce a cross of the Norwich Fancy blood as well ; but the 

 majority of them and among these may be counted their most 

 ardent admirers entirely ignore both the colour and shape of 

 the Norwich variety, and regard all specimens inheriting any oi 

 the properties of the last-named breed with much disfavour. 



To breed Yorkshire Fancy canaries successfully and fit for 

 competition it will be necessary to procure a few long, thin 

 Belgian canaries, or, to be more accurate in my description, 1 

 probably ought to say three-quarter bred Belgian canaries, 

 select those that are very deficient in shoulder and as straight in 

 shape as they can be obtained in fact, to speak plainly, birds 

 known in the " fancy " as " bad Belgian canaries," those least 

 esteemed and of little value except for breeding purposes of this 

 sort. In addition to these you should get a few plain-headed 

 Manchester Coppies and a few half-bred Dutch or French 

 canaries I prefer the latter for my own fancy always keep in 

 view great length of body and tail; the recognised shape and 

 fineness of feather as well. Cross the different breeds of birds 

 already enumerated in such a way as you consider best calcu- 

 lated to obtain the qualities most desired, always eschewing all 

 birds to breed from that show the least inclination to curves 

 whether in the back or tail. After you succeed in producing a 

 race of birds to your mind, adopt the method of " sib " breeding 

 (in-and-in), and this may be indulged in pretty freely at first, as 

 it is the safest plan to follow, and the only one that can be 

 relied upon with certainty for reproducing, establishing, and 

 perpetuating certain features with accuracy, but, as I have 

 before pointed out, in treating of other varieties, care must be 

 taken not to overdo it, or your birds will degenerate in size and 

 stamina, and become puny and delicate. Experience, however, 

 will prove the best and most trustworthy tutor in this respect. 

 The observations I have made relate to the clear varieties only. 

 If you desire to breed evenly -marked birds or unevenly-marked 

 birds, you must observe strictly the same rules for crossing as 

 those laid down for breeding the marked varieties of Norwich 

 Fancy canaries 



