CANARIES. 25 



birds, the appearance resembles a chain, with the links continuous and perfect. The 

 clearly defined spangles must be decided aud unbroken throughout the body : 

 splashes or breaks in the spangles or wings throw the bird out of the perfect class. 

 As in all other cases, in a nest of young birds perhaps there will be but one or two 

 specimens which could be called perfection : for, no matter how carefully the selec- 

 tion of the parents was made, the splashes or foul spots will show ; this may be due 

 to defects in earlier generations : but crossing perfectly marked birds for continuous 

 years will probably obviate this, and the result will certainly be foretold before the 

 birds are hatched from the eggs. 



The whole appearance of the Lizard Canary is essentially dark ; the beak, legs, 

 and claws following the same color. The appearance of the Lizard should not be 

 hazy or indistinct ; the spangles should be clear, bright, and regularly arranged ; 

 nor should the gold of the gold-spangled class be mixed with the colors of the 

 silver spangled, or vice versa. In size the Lizard Canary is more uniform than 

 the other classes, measuring about five inches and a half in length. He is easily 

 known by the peculiar markings and snug-looking cap, and the class is an interest- 

 ing one for the purpose of breeding. They are easily bred, and of good value when 

 well marked. 



We now come to a different set of classes in the English Canaries; i.e., of 

 shape and size, color being a minor quality. The Scotch Fancy is probably the 

 most remarkable-looking Canary of any known variety, even more curious in 

 formation than the Belgian. The Belgian is bred for the clearly acute angle 

 which the different parts of his body form, while the Scotch Fancy is bred for 

 the curves which his body forms. In shape the bird resembles a half-circle : and, 

 if the enthusiastic breeders of Scotland continue their efforts in the same directions, 

 the half-circle must become a whole circle ; and the methods of perching, flying, 

 etc., will have to be revolutionized. We mean no disrespect to the rugged High- 

 land breeders. This variety is their choice and fancy, and they should be allowed 

 their indulgence. The mania for breeding these birds in the districts to which the 

 strictest attention to them is paid exceeds that of the Belgian breeders, and the 

 proud possessor of a prize-winner is looked upon as a skilled engineer in his profes- 

 sion. It requires, indeed, a skilled artist in bird-breeding to produce perfection. 



The Scotch Fancy Canary, judging from its form, is most likely an offshoot of 

 the Belgian ; and, as in the other classes of English Canaries, the shape nas been 

 perfected by the persistent breeding of birds to obtain the nearest approach to a 

 certain model or standard. 



The head of the Scotch Fancy Canary should be flat and snake-like, a very 

 important point, which is only brought about by the extreme care exercised in his 

 breeding ; the neck, unlike the Belgian's, should form the connecting curve between 

 the head and shoulders ; the shoulders should not be prominent, but close together, 

 and have the appearance of the Belgian's shoulders, with the corners planed off ; the 

 back and tail form a sweeping curve, thus making the different parts of the body 

 form an arc. If a line were drawn from the tip of the beak to the point of the 

 tail, the figure would represent a half-circle. The bird is slender and elegant in 

 shape, and his carriage graceful and dignified. His legs are long and straight, and 

 appear to be set in his body on the principle of a shank on a diamond scarf-pin. 



