The Norwich Fancy. 305 



and, therefore, I would suggest that the most straightforward 

 plan would be to state clearly and emphatically what is really 

 meant. For instance, supposing you wish to include in one 

 class all variegated birds, whether marked in regular or an 

 irregular manner, the schedule should read thus : Evenly- 

 marked, Unevenly-marked, or Ticked. If you wish to exclude 

 the Evenly-marked, then the words, Unevenly-marked or Ticked 

 should be substituted. But what are you going to do with 

 the evenly-marked birds, which are really the gems of this 

 variety ? You surely would not relegate them to the other 

 variety class, as it would be an undoubted injustice to do so. 

 At some shows, in fact at most of the best shows, separate classes 

 are given for evenly-marked specimens, and this order of things 

 I consider much the best, but at small shows, such liberality 

 cannot be exercised on account of the expense. Therefore, 

 when judges find that evenly-marked, unevenly-marked, and 

 ticked birds all compete together, every allowance should be 

 made for size, shape, colour, quality of feather, and condition ; 

 and as the evenly-marked birds lose considerably in colour and 

 frequently in size and form, the contest is often keener than 

 many suppose ; for it must be remembered that all birds not 

 eligible for competition in an evenly-marked class must of 

 necessity be eligible for an unevenly-marked class, and this 

 would include all birds marked in each wing and with a dark 

 cap ; all birds evenly-marked in the wings and at _the eyes 

 but with one dark feather in the tail, or with evenly-marked 

 wings and one eye mark; and those marked at each eye and 

 in each wing but with a small spot or speck on the crown 

 or centre of the head. These, of course, are the perfection of 

 unevenly-marked birds so far as markings are concerned, and 

 in a class including both varieties these birds frequently make 

 the contest very warm, as a little extra size, or superior colour 

 or contour, may easily cast the balance of points in their 

 favour. 



Some fanciers would like to have three and five pointed 

 birds relegated to the evenly-marked classes, but this I regard 

 as nonsensical. I would rather see all marked birds come 



