20 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 



of White. At some shows, there are classes provided 

 for nearly all the colours I have mentioned, so it can be 

 realised to what an extent the Cavy Fancy has grown, and 

 all within the last twenty years. 



I well remember when the first pair of Red Cavies was 

 brought out ; in a mild way, it produced quite a sensation. 

 I am not sure of the man's name I think it was Hewson 

 who bred them but heard he sold them with ease for thirty 

 pounds. And it was much the same when some pure Blacks 

 appeared, but since that time thousands of both Reds and 

 Blacks have come forward, and prices have fallen accordingly. 



Then there was a great run on Agoutis, but they, too, 

 have multiplied, and only very perfect specimens of either 

 of those named command large money. 



Really good Tortoiseshells, and well-marked Tortoise- 

 shell and Whites, have always maintained their position, 

 and perhaps sell as well as most varieties. 



Also correctly-marked Dutch, being difficult to pro- 

 duce, and few and far between, have a good market value, 

 but only at the largest shows are classes provided for 

 these out-of-the-way varieties. They have consequently 

 to be shown, for the most part, in the Any Other Variety 

 classes, where, however, they have a good chance of coming 

 to the front if the judge (who often has to take the Cats 

 and Rabbits as well) happens to be a genuine Cavy fancier, 

 and not devoted to either Cats or Rabbits in particular. 



I think I have said enough of the several subjects of 

 this book to serve as a sort of preliminary canter, and 

 will now proceed to deal with each in their order, be- 

 ginning with Rabbits, as first on my list. 



