Canary Societies, and Close and Open Shows. 417 



of travelling and hotel expenses, but where the distance is 

 very great a proportionate charge to cover additional railway 

 fare, &c., is made. Incompetent judges are dear at any price. 

 If a show is likely to prove a failure, you might give your 

 services gratuitously, charging bare expenses only. 



If, on your way to a show, you happen to miss the train, 

 or if a break-down or other accident should occur which is 

 likely to delay your arrival at the expected time, telegraph 

 to the secretary all necessary particulars, giving the time 

 when you expect to reach your destination. If it should be, 

 a, dull or wet day, and the light is bad, leave those classes 

 judged principally for colour to the last. Proceed with 

 Yorkshire Fancies or the marked classes, and always count 

 the wing and tail feathers of all the prize birds shown in the 

 evenly-marked classes ; if any are wanting in a specimen it 

 should be disqualified. Write on the class ticket the words 

 " Disqualified," Deficient in plumage/' The same rule is 

 applicable to Lizards, Cinnamons, London Fancies, and Green 

 birds, but in judging birds for shape, such as Belgians and 

 Scotch Fancies, or even Lancashires and clear birds, this rule 

 need not apply, as the loss of a tail or a wing feather would 

 not imperil their chance of taking a prize ; of course, if several 

 feathers are missing from the tail or wings of a show speci- 

 men in any class, it would at once debar it from taking a 

 prize, as the bird would not be in a fit condition to compete 

 successfully. The great thing to guard against is dishonest 

 practices, where birds have been systematically trimmed in 

 such a way as to give them an unfair chance of obtaining a 

 prize. A bird may have lost a feather by accident, and if it 

 is in the cage you should mention the fact to the secretary, 

 who will consult with the committee, and if they are satisfied 

 that the feather has been shed whilst in their custody it 

 should not be considered a disqualification, or counted as 

 such. The bird should stand, but the committee should look 

 well to this, as an unscrupulous exhibitor might extract a foul 

 feather from the tail or wing of a show specimen and place a 

 dark one (or vice versa) in the bottom of the cage, taken from 

 ajiother bird. T have heard of such things being done. 



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