298 The Canary Book. 



With the exception of the markings already described, a bird 

 of this variety should be clear in all other parts of the body, and 

 it is desirable that it should be free from dark feathers in the 

 saddle and coverlets, whether of wings or tail. The greater 

 portion of marked birds are dark in their under-flue feathers, 

 and others again are tinged on the thighs, vent and rump, and 

 have dark legs and feet. These are only regarded as minor 

 considerations: but where two birds are equal in merit in all 

 other respects, the bird that possesses the fewest of these 

 blemishes is undoubtedly entitled to bear the palm. 



The evenly-marked Norwich canaries are about five inches and 

 upwards in length. In form they resemble the original, or, as it 

 is more frequently named, the common canary. They should 

 have round, full heads; necks medium in length, and rather 

 stout ; bodies full and plump, with deep, broad, well-developed, 

 and prominent chests ; broad, well-filled backs, and substantial 

 shoulders; legs rather short, but well set; carriage easy and 

 commanding, with plenty of vivacity. 



The Crested Norwich birds in size and general conformation 

 resemble very closely the foregoing variety. The head should 

 be round, broad, and full ; the neck moderately long, and gradu- 

 ally increasing in thickness from the junction next the head to 

 the shoulders; the body should be full and plump, and of a 

 demi-semi-circular form from the throat to the vent ; the back 

 broad at the shoulders, tapering towards the tail, and slightly 

 curved outwardly ; the tail projecting in an obtuse manner from 

 the body, although it is usually termed " straight " by fanciers. 

 The chest should be deep, broad, and full. The body colour 

 clear, bright, vivid and level throughout, except the shoulder 

 blades, or pinion covers and rump, which are always more 

 intense in colour in highly-bred birds this is termed " quality " 

 by the cognoscenti. The flights, tail feathers, and vents of all 

 birds are invariably paler, but more so in some birds than in 

 others. Closeness and firmness of feather are advantageous, and 

 likewise denote quality ; and a full well-formed circular saddle 

 is a great acquisition, especially to a marked bird, for it shows 

 the wing markings to much greater advantage, and makes 

 them appear more angular, or, as it is generally termed, 



