CANARY BIRDS. 15 



and collar; next the Yellow Canary, with 

 black or greenish-yellow head, which in this 

 case should have a crest. The gray, or 

 almost black canaries, with yellow breast, 

 and white head and tail, are held in peculiar 

 estimation. Such birds as are irregularly 

 mottled or spotted, as well as those uniform 

 in color, are considered as of but little 

 value 



The female is hardly distinguishable from 

 the male, except that the plumage of the 

 latter is generally brighter in color. His 

 head, also, is rather larger and longer ; the 

 body more slender ; the neck not so short ; 

 and the legs longer and straighter. Another 

 special characteristic is, that the yellow of 

 the temples, and round the eyes, is brighter 

 than in any other part of the body. 



Birds which seem moderately shy are 

 generally the best. Tame birds are gene- 

 rally bought quite eagerly, but too great 

 quietness is often caused by illness, and they 

 eoon die. A real good bird will make a 



