34 MAMMALS 



included in four groups : solid, or self, agouti, broken and 

 Dutch-marked. 



Selfs include black, white, red, chocolate and cream, 

 which must be even in shade and free from the slightest 

 spot of another color. 



As stated before, whites were the first self-colored cavies 

 produced. Because of their color, they do not offer the 

 problems of breeding met with in other varieties, but a 

 really good specimen is much more difficult to produce than 

 would be expected by the uninitiated. Like all albinos, the 

 white cavy has pink eyes. 



Blacks followed whites in order of appearance. For 

 years after, specimens pure in color were rarely seen, white 

 or reddish hairs frequently being present. This trouble 

 now has been largely eliminated, and blacks of rich, solid 

 color are produced. It is a fact well known among breeders 

 that crosses with red, red and white and black and white, 

 are often resorted to, and that cavies bred from such 

 crosses, even if slightly spotted, frequently are the most 

 consistent producers of solid blacks. 



Reds are a beautiful variety, and perhaps the most popu- 

 lar of the selfs. In color they should be an even, bright 

 orange, with* no tendency to darkness on the ears. Good 

 reds are abundant, but crosses with broken-colored speci- 

 mens and golden agoutis are frequently used to maintain 

 brightness of color. 



Creams, although very attractive, do not seem to be so 

 well liked as would be expected. The shade is very soft 

 and rich, and sound, even-colored specimens are not easily 

 produced. Chocolates are a deep, rich brown, but good ones 

 are scarce. The variety is not commonly bred in this 

 country. 



Agoutis occur in two shades, known as golden and silver. 

 Both are thickly ticked with black, the silver having a 



