r84 CANARIES 



better birds are bred than when both are heavily feathered 

 or when both are of medium length of feather. Whilst 

 Dutch Frills are not particularly good parents, they are 

 not all bad, some will attend to their duties well, and 

 others will not, therefore it is wise to keep a stock of 

 common hens as feeders. 



Yellow and buff is the usual order of pairing, preference 

 being given to a clear or ticked bird and a variegated or 

 green. This form of mating helps to keep the strain 

 rubust, and maintains the quality and length of the feather. 



Owing to their excessive feather, Dutch Frills require 

 careful attention during the moult, especisJly in a cold, 

 damp autumn. This being so, it is wise to finish all 

 breeding operations at the end of June or early in July. 



Training for Show. 



Dutch Frills require training for show, and should be 

 put through their paces in much the same way as are 

 young Belgians. The treatment to be pursued will be 

 found described in the chapter dealing with the breed. 



When washing Dutch Frills for show the owner must 

 be very careful not to break the feather by attempting to 

 rub or brush it until it has become thoroughly soaked and 

 sodden in the soap-suds, as described in the chapter on 

 exhibiting. 



Standard of Perfection. 



The following standard is of Continental origin, but 

 has been approved by English breeders : — 



Points 

 Size. — As large as possible . . . . . . . . 10 



Position. — Elegant, slightly curved, with a humpy 



appearance and well elevated on legs . . 10 

 Feathers. — (1) Long, fine, and silky. These should 

 be parted, falling symmetrically down the 

 back, called the " mantle " . . . . . . 8 



(2) Those on the chest, undulating (or 

 wavy like) converging to the centre in the 

 shape of a shell, called the " craw " . . 10 



(3) Those to the right and left, forming two 



