The Cinnamon. 267 



I might mention the cross between the bulldog and terrier, 

 which is, in most cases, a much handsomer dog than either of its 

 progenitors, and a breed greatly valued by the cognoscenti of the 

 canine race. 



A reason which riiilitates greatly against this particular breed 

 of birds is that there are so few shows that make separate classes 

 for them ; and this is more easily explained than remedied. The 

 north country fanciers, almost without exception, cross the 

 Cinnamon and Belgian Fancy canaries together, as they prefer 

 symmetry to colour ; whilst the south country fanciers give 

 precedence to the latter, and for this reason they cross the 

 Cinnamon and Norwich Fancy varieties with each other ; the 

 consequence is that,, whenever the two distinct crosses of birds 

 meet together in the same class for competition, the awards of 

 the judges very rarely give satisfaction to all parties. Most of 

 the secretaries and committees of shows are fully aware of this 

 bugbear, and rather than run the risk of bickerings arising at 

 their shows, they prefer to make an " any other variety class," 

 instead of giving a special class to the variegated variety. 



In some parts of Yorkshire, Lancashire, Durham, and North- 

 umberland, many elegant specimens of the Belgian cross are to 

 be met with large slender birds, graceful in form and com- 

 manding in appearance, with sleek flat heads, exquisitely 

 chiselled, and long slender necks, with good substantial legs, well 

 formed, and a fine erect carriage. Add to these properties a pair 

 of evenly-marked wings and two delicately and beautifully pen- 

 cilled eye-markings, and you have what I consider a gem of a 

 bird to behold. " There is no accounting for taste," for the cross 

 between the Cinnamon and Norwich Fancy canaries are very 

 diminutive birds, displaying nothing beyond the. form of the 

 commonest type of canary, and having no other recommendation 

 beyond their superior colour over the class of birds I have 

 endeavoured to portray ; but whether high colour in this case 

 really is an advantage is purely a matter of opinion ; for my part 

 I think that the infusion of Norwich blood, giving the colours a 

 brighter and a deeper hue, detracts rather than adds to the 

 appearance of these birds, for I have always considered that one 

 of the most pleasing features about them is the great contrast in 



