The Modern Crested Norwich. 319 



crest prodigious and exquisitely finished, and I consider it 

 gives him an undoubted advantage over any bird not adorned 

 with this appendage. 



To obtain size of body and profusion of feather, breeding 

 with two buff birds is much resorted to; but this should be 

 done with care and judgment, as it is apt to produce coarse- 

 ness of feather both on the body and crest of birds. Others, 

 again, to enlarge and improve the size and form of the crests, 

 put two crested birds together, and if these are not properly 

 matched, the result is either a large mop crest, without 

 quality or proper form, or it may result in a sparsity of crest ; 

 but when two crested birds are judiciously matched, a good 

 crested bird may occasionally be bred in this way. If ever 

 you breed from two crested birds, be sure to select two which 

 are undoubtedly well bred and not deficient in crest properties, 

 and keep the plain-heads bred in this way and put to crested 

 birds again, as this is a sure method of improving and 

 enlarging the crests; but this, too, must be done with care 

 and caution, or you will obtain birds with faulty crests. 



A good crest must, in the first place, be adorned with a 

 good centre, distinct but closely filled in all round, appearing 

 like' the head of a small pin. It should be placed about the 

 middle of the head of the bird, for, if placed too near the 

 beak, it gives the appearance of a short and narrow frontal 

 crest; and I have seen good birds spoiled through having the 

 centre placed in this way, although it makes such birds 

 show a greater profusion of lateral crest; but a properly 

 balanced crest is unquestionably the most prized. From this 

 centre the feathers should radiate in a uniform manner, and 

 be placed as close as they can be packed without the slightest 

 appearance of a break in any form. The crest should lie 

 quite flat to the head of the bird, and appear smooth and 

 unruffled. It should also be broad and expansive, thick and 

 solid looking, with a good droDp, giving it something 

 of the appearance of a mushrcom. A thin hairy looking 

 crest is objectionable, however good it may be in other respects, 

 and such crests are easily disarranged. 



