320 The Canary Book. 



A flaw or opening in the front or at the side of a crest 

 would be fatal to the chance of any bird on the show bench 

 in good company ; but there are a class of exhibitors who 

 can patch up and trim faulty crests in a wonderful manner, 

 and this is practised by some of them to a great extent; the 

 loose feathers that have an aggravating and defiant method of 

 standing erect are cut off short, or if very few in number 

 are occasionally plucked out. A system of grooming is likewise 

 resorted to; the bird is caught regularly every morning, 

 and he is toileted like a baby ; his crest is brushed with a soft 

 tooth-brush, dipped in water when necessary, and if this 

 operation does not succeed in bringing the stray and wayward 

 feathers to subjection, a mixture is used in the final pre- 

 paration before the bird is exhibited ; bandoline* is one of the 

 compounds used, and a weak solution of gum and spirits of 

 wine, diluted with water; gum arable or gum mastic are pre- 

 ferred for this operation, but it must be used very weak, or 

 it will be detected. It requires skill and practice to use 

 these artifices properly; and I only mention them to put those 

 unacquainted with such devices on their guard, as I have heard 

 of amateurs claiming such "faked" birds at a show, and after 

 moulting them, they could not understand how they had dete- 

 riorated so much through, as they supposed, not getting a 

 good moult. Such practices are not only highly reprehensible, 

 but they are dishonest, and the perpetrators of them deserve 

 to be exposed. As a safeguard against such birds being 

 claimed, it is usual to place a fabulous price on them, but 

 not in all cases. Those birds which need no grooming are 

 much to be preferred; but high class birds of any variety, 

 free from faults, are scarce, and consequently very costly. 

 Good crested birds should be carefully handled, and not 

 washed of tener than is absolutely necessary ; the same remark 

 applies to all other show specimens, but more particularly to 

 crested birds than most other varieties. Every care should 

 be taken to preserve them from dust and smoke, and they 



* A preparation for the hair. 



