Canary Societies^ and Close and Open Shows. 395 



further agreeing to pay all entrance fees and other costs incident 

 thereto, and in some cases binding himself to pay a certain 

 sum to the vendor in the event of the bird dying or being lost, 

 killed, maimed, or disfigured whilst in his custody or care; 

 and this transparent and palpable device is considered by 

 some men as a sufficient salve for their consciences. 



Common sense should teach us that no man would withhold 

 a bird from a show if he felt reasonably satisfied that it had 

 a fair chance of success in obtaining a prize, and if he thought 

 otherwise it is scarcely probable that he would be foolish enough 

 to throw away money by entering it, unless it happened to 

 be at a show held in the town where he resides, he might 

 then be generous enough to send a few extra entries to swell 

 the funds of the institution. If committees are wishful to 

 stimulate breeders and exhibitors to greater exertions by offering 

 additional inducements, why not confine themselves to medals 

 of moderate value intrinsically, and offer them for the best 

 birds in such-and-such classes, or to the exhibitor who gains 

 the greatest aggregate number of points in certain classes which 

 must be specified ? This would be an honorary distinction, 

 hardly capable of being abused, and one which would be sure 

 to be appreciated. There is another matter in connection with 

 this subject deserving of attention. It is this. In counting 

 points for extra prizes the recognised rule hitherto followed at 

 nearly all shows has been to count three for a first prize, two 

 for a second, and one for a third ; but I think that commended 

 birds should be included as well, and in the event of this sug- 

 gestion being adopted, the rule should be to count first prize 

 six points, second five, third four, very highly commended three, 

 highly commended two, and commended one. I feel satisfied 

 that where this plan is resorted to, when cups are given, it will 

 tend greatly to increase the number of entries. 



Prizes are now offered at a great many shows by the 

 manufacturers of special foods for canaries and other birds 

 that are fed solely upon the specific food of the vendors. 

 But the question is, are all the birds that compete 

 in these classes so fed ? Ah ! that is the question ! but 

 there is no means of proving the fact. Nothing could 



