272 The Canary Book. 



or palish red eyes, are valuable for crossing to obtain hens for 

 breeding canary and linnet mules. 



CLASSES. There are only two classes for pure Cinnamon 

 canaries, viz., jonque and mealy; the former being more deep, 

 intense, and brighter in colour than the latter variety ; but the 

 last-named is more largely endowed with that beautiful silvery- 

 grey light which pervades the outer surface of the feathers, and 

 which is so much prized by fanciers as an indication of high 

 breeding and rare quality. 



There are a great many varieties of Cinnamon Variegated birds ; 

 indeed, they are capable of being divided into the same number 

 of classes as the marked Norwich Fancy birds ; but they never 

 are, as they are not nearly so popular at present as that world- 

 renowned variety. Hitherto there have been but two classes set 

 apart at any show for birds of this kind, and they are principally 

 given under the designations of " variegated yellow Cinnamon " 

 and "variegated buff Cinnamon." Now, what constitutes a 

 variegated bird is simply a bird with a diversity of colours; 

 consequently, both evenly and unevenly marked birds can com- 

 pete together under this head, but the evenly-marked are sure to 

 take precedence. The other varieties are generally to be found 

 at shows which wind up their schedules with that most useful 

 and needful class, the " Any other variety of canary," and in it 

 they figure very prominently in most cases. 



POINTS. The true Cinnamon canary resembles in form and 

 size the Norwich Fancy birds perhaps, if anything, they are a 

 little larger ; that is, taking the general average of the two 

 varieties. The distinguishing features in these birds are colour 

 and form, but more particularly the former. The colour most 

 prized is a deep rich mellow orange cinnamon, and this should 

 be distributed as evenly as possible all . over the bird. A light- 

 coloured throat, belly, or rump, or even light- coloured thighs, are 

 considered blemishes. Next in point of esteem to the birds just 

 described are those of a yellowish tint ; but avoid the green and 

 the dusky, smoky smut-coloured birds, as they invariably possess 

 bad blood. A stripy appearance is bad ; the more nearly a bird 

 looks all over one unbroken colour, the more prizable it is. 



