CANARIES. 27 



length. They are very compactly built, with no deviation in shape, being of the 

 straight-back order. The figure is well-proportioned and strongly made. He is 

 massive, graceful, and as sprightly as the smallest Canary. The cap, or crest, which 

 lie wears, is in just proportion to the size of his body, and is remarkable for the 

 exactness and regularity of its formation. All the feathers radiate to a common 

 centre, each feather being in its exact place. It is not knotty or curly, and 

 presents a striking appearance, and an oddity not observed in any other class of 

 Canaries. It is much larger than the crest of the Norwich bird, and has a style 

 of beauty which the Norwich bird's crest does not possess. It is much clearer in 

 form than that bird's, and surpasses it in the clearness of the yellow color, which 

 appears to be a difficult object to procure in the crested class. The crests of the 

 Manchester may vary in color, and run in gray, ticked, and dark shades. The 

 main points in the standard of excellence in this class are size of crest, size of bird, 

 and shape. 



This class is also bred without the crest, and is then called the Plainhead. 



The colors are the same as in the other classes, sometimes as deep as the 

 Norwich, but usually of the buff, or mealy, variety. 



This majestic and massive bird forms one of the highest-prized cage-birds, and, 

 when better known, will take a foremost place in the list of Canaries. He should 

 have the largest-sized Canary cage : and, if he fills it by his great dimensions, he will 

 offset it by filling the house with his song ; as his voice fully corresponds in power 

 with his size. 



THE FRENCH CANARY. 



The French Canary is an edition of the Belgian, and, although not so finely 

 bred for position and stj 7 le, retains the main characteristics of that breed. The 

 French are bred throughout the manufacturing districts of France, and the English 

 hobby of compactly arranged feathers is knocked to pieces by the exact opposite 

 arrangement in the French breed. The feathers on the breast, belly, and sides 

 resemble miniature wheels of feathers pinned on to the bird, and present a fluffy, 

 odd appearance, and impress one with the idea that the bird ought to bathe, and 

 straighten them out. The chief object in breeding these birds is, to obtain this 

 remarkable disarrangement of the feathers : the more wheels obtained, the higher 

 prized is the bird. The placing of the feathers resembles that of the crest of the 

 Manchester Coppy, and, when neatly formed, give him the look of being " coppied " 

 all over. This bird measures about seven inches in length, and, as a rule, appears in 

 plain yellow feathers throughout. 



The English and French breeds of Canaries are fed in their native countries on 

 the plain Sicily or Spanish canary-seeds ; and, when a mixture is required, a few 

 hemp-seeds are added. This kind of feeding is a torture for the German breeder 

 to witness, and he is sure the birds will die if fed thus for any length of time. But 

 the vigorous constitutions of the birds seem capable of withstanding any luxury 

 showered upon them, as this sort of feeding in our country would certainly be so 

 considered. I find that the English Canaries, when imported to America, thrive 

 much better on the regular mixed seeds, rape, canary, and millet, than on the plain 

 seed given them in their own country ; but no amount of argument or reasoning will 



