CANARIES. 23 



of patience and skill, and is the best evidence of the science to which Canary-breed- 

 ing has been reduced. It is the result of years of careful study, and shows that 

 the English have, perhaps, a more thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the bird 

 and his plumage than the German has. The English and German methods of rais- 

 ing Canaries are widely different, and must necessarily be so ; since the former seeks 

 size and feather, physical culture, while the latter strives for voice-culture. The 

 Germans follow their taste for music, and breed birds only for music ; while the Eng- 

 lish tastes are shown in their devotion to high color and imposing physique. The 

 Englishman accomplishes his object by patiently breeding from generation to gene- 

 ration for the deepest golden color possible to attain, and, later still, further deepen- 

 ing the brilliant color by artificial means. In some sections of the country, breeders 

 pay all attention to the development of size in Canaries ; and, as the result, the 

 Manchester Coppy of to-day stands forth as the giant of the Canary family. 



The Norwich Canary is the general favorite of the breed of English Canaries, and 

 is the most extensively bred of any of them. He is easily recognized as a brilliantly 

 illuminated edition of the deep-yellow Canary, and takes his name from the city of 

 Norwich, where for generations he has been bred and cultivated ; and, at present, 

 every artisan in the city has his brood to care for, the taste being further fostered 

 by the extensive patronage of the wealthy classes throughout the country. Careful 

 breeding is a remunerative employment, as fine birds are well paid for. The Nor- 

 wich Canary is larger than the German, his usual length being about six inches. He 

 is a very solid, substantial-looking fellow ; and his compactly built figure and hand- 

 some golden coat give him a very attractive appearance. Owing to the nature of 

 the breeding, he is naturally much hardier than any other variety known : heat is 

 not considered a necessity in the breeding-rooms of the English Canaries ; and only 

 at the moulting season, when extra care is required, is artificial warmth allowed. 

 A strong incentive to breeding these Canaries is the competitive exhibitions which 

 are annually held in all the breeding-centres of England. Every attention is paid 

 to the size of the bird, the texture of his feathers, and, most of all, the depth or 

 brilliancy of his color. The Norwich Canaries may be divided into three classes : 

 the clear yellow, a bird which has no foreign color on his entire body ; the mottle, 

 or variegated, which is a combination of yellow and green, or dark-brown colors ; 

 and the crested, which may again be subdivided into clear or mottled. It is not 

 necessary to go into the details of the depth of color, or silkiness of the feathers ; 

 as they would not probably interest our amateur breeders. The highty-bred crested 

 variety is a very interesting class : in some cases, when bred for years for perfec- 

 tion of crest, it appears to be something unnatural ; the size and proportions being 

 perfect. The crest hangs over the eyes so as to partially obscure the bird's sight. 

 As a songster, the Norwich, as now bred, is not equal to the German Canary ; nor 

 can this be expected, owing to the inattention paid- to his song. He is, however, 

 susceptible to an easy training : and I have heard many Norwich birds, when hung 

 in a room with a well-trained St. Andreasberg Canary, copy his best notes in all 

 their perfection ; giving, of course, more strength to the sounds, owing to the fact, 

 perhaps, that he is a much larger, heavier bird. The same observation applies to 

 all other breeds of the English Canaries. 



The London Fancy, and both kinds of Lizard Canaries, it is said, are of the 



