354 The Canary Book. 



suitable as a good crested-bred Plain-head Norwich of the 

 right stamp, or a large bird bred between a bird of that 

 variety and a large Cinnamon bird. 



STANDARD FOR JUDGING. 



Points. 



Colour, for richness, clearness, brightness, and even dis- 

 tribution throughout 40 



Skull, for size, and beak for neatness 8 



Back and breast, for width and substance 10 



Tail, for compactness and neatness 7 



Style, for type, closeness and fineness of feather .... 20 



Size, contour, and condition 15 



Total "lOO 



GERMAN CANARIES. These are the common type of canaries, 

 and they are prized solely on account of their song. They are 

 taught by the Germans (artisans chiefly) to imitate the songs 

 of other birds and the notes of musical instruments, and are 

 valued according to their capabilities as musicians. But the 

 most valued of all are the variety known by the name of the 

 Hartz Mountain Rollers, which are reared in Hanover and 

 Saxony, in the neighbourhood of the Hartz Mountains. Their 

 song is varied by a series of notes or sounds which they 

 warble or roll forth with great fervour, and those which have 

 the longest and sweetest trills, and which run or roll their 

 notes to the greatest length, or frequently repeat the most 

 admired portion of them, are the most highly prized, and bring 

 the highest prices. We have known as much as 35s. to have 

 been given for an exceptional bird of this kind. They are 

 imported annually by most of the respectable dealers in London 

 and other large towns, and vary in price from 5s. to 15s. each; 

 rare specimens bring larger prices. Those birds that are in- 

 tended to be instructed in the art of song are removed from 

 their parents at an early age and reared by hand. Almost as 

 soon as they begin to twitter they are placed under their in- 

 structors in an apartment far removed from the sound of any 

 canary still in possession of its " natural wood notes wild." 



When they are able to feed themselves they are placed in a 

 room with some five or six others that are intended to be taught 



