The Modern Crested Norwich. 323 



respects, and more particularly in the size and formation of 

 the crest, which, after all, is doubtless the most distinguishing 

 feature of this variety of canary, and has remedied many of 

 the defects observable in the original Norwich birds, such as 

 baldness at the back of the head, the result of too much 

 in-breeding and double-crest breeding. It has also been the 

 means of improving the shape of the crest; producing more 

 round and oval crests. The old Norwich type were full and 

 square in the back crest, whereas the Lancashire birds are 

 deficient in this respect, biit they fairly surpass the Norwich 

 birds in length and width of frontal and side crest owing to 

 the great length of feather inherited from their ancestors, the 

 old Dutch canary. Thus the cross has proved most beneficial 

 and advantageous by blending the properties possessed by 

 each variety. That this variety has been vastly improved is 

 indicated by the fact that many modern specimens have realised 

 nearly as many pounds each as the best specimens of the 

 crested birds a quarter of a century ago would realise shillings. 

 One of the best specimens of the day is the " Prince of Wales," 

 a bird purchased by Messrs. Mackley Bros., of Norwich, from 

 a breeder at Plymouth, for 20; others we could mention 

 that have been sold for similar and even higher sums, such 

 as 30, 35, and 40, and I know of one case where 50 was 

 offered and refused for probably the best bird of his day, 60 

 being asked for him. I, myself, offered Mr. G. E. Russell, of 

 Brierley Hill, 30 for probably the best bird he ever possessed, 

 and for which he paid, I believe, 20 to a firm in North- 

 amptonshire. I have bred several birds that have realised 

 5 and 10 each, and some of these, after winning prizes in 

 first-class company, have been re-sold at much higher figures 

 I enumerate these facts to show that the successful breeding 

 of this variety is a source of profit as well as pleasure, but 

 such birds are not bred every day not by the most successful 

 of breeders neither can they always be obtained from the 

 best-breeding stock procurable. I have known a pair of birds 

 produce high-class specimens, and yet when -these birds were 

 separated and mated with other birds equally well bred, the 



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