Canary Mules. 361 



tance as they are in the first named class colour, size, and 

 shape are weighty matters in judging these birds, and are 

 allowed for accordingly. The markings to be preferred to all 

 others are even wings and eyes, with a solitary dark feather on 

 one side of the tail, or even wings and one eye marking only ; 

 next in point of merit to these we prefer a bird with evenly- 

 marked wings and a small cap or spot on the head. A bird with 

 eye-marks and a clear body should be shown as a ticked bird. 

 When the ticked and unevenly marked birds are shown together 

 in one class, the ticked birds are pretty sure to take precedence, 

 unless the marked birds are extraordinarily good, and the 

 ticked birds wanting in size, colour, and quality. 



When hybrids between the goldfinch and canary can be pro- 

 cured resembling the one shown in our illustration, they may be 

 considered both valuable and rare, and are very beautiful to look 

 upon. The bird from which the cut was taken belonged to Mr. J. 

 Doel, of Stonehouse, Devon. The eye-markings are not quite 

 perfect in form, but in all other respects it was the bird par 

 excellence, and very difficult to put aside, as it possessed good 

 size, colour, form, and feather, and was in reality a gem. 



Dark goldfinch mules are judged for size, colour, and contour 

 principally, but rich dazzling colour, and more particularly a 

 large fiery blaze round the beak and down the breast of the 

 bird, are of the first importance. 



The Standard of Excellence for Dark Goldfinch Mules is as 

 under : 



STANDARD FOR JUDGING DARK GOLDFINCH MULES. 



Points 

 Head, beak, and flourish 25 



Body, colour, and breast 25 



Size and contour 15 



Quality of feathers 5 



Condition 10 



Saddle 5 



Bloom or meal 10 



Golden bars on wings, for extension and brilliancy in 



colour 5 



Total 100 



BROWN LINNET AND CANARY MULES. There is seldom more 

 than one class for these birds at any show. When this is the 



