210 CANARIES 



trifle in size for exhibition purposes. A hen is none the 

 worse for being a trifle undersized, provided she has all the 

 the other needed qualifications ; in fact, such a hen is far 

 to be preferred to a large, coarse hen. The latter I would 

 not advise anyone to breed with. Large hens are not 

 as a rule good mothers ; further, they breed birds which 

 are ungainly and clumsy in carriage, and generally lack 

 quaUty. The neat, natty little hen, of good type, is 

 the ideal hen to breed with. 



That Indefinable but Valued Quality. 



It has been said that it is impossible to define quality. 

 In a sense it is, and yet the experienced eye can always 

 recognise it when present. It is that extra special all-round 

 finish which makes the good bird complete. But quality 

 of feather is capable of definition. As I have said years 

 ago the Lizard cross was the fountain from which we 

 drew quality of feather. The first canary I exhibited 

 was one of those spangle-backed Norwich known as 

 " a dapple backed 'un." In those days we often saw them. 

 I have not met one for a long time, and even the saddle- 

 marked birds which used to be common, and which also 

 came from the same source, are not now often seen. 



The Lizard cross used to give a beautiful softness 

 and silkiness of feather which was most enchanting, 

 whilst it also at the same time added a rich metallic 

 lustre to the colour. I have often said that if breeders 

 would now and again take a dip into the Lizard blood 

 it would pay them. It might mean a sacrifice of size 

 somewhat, but this could be rectified very quickly. I 

 should recommend mating a rich-coloured, chubby, 

 fine-feathered buff Norwich hen to a big silver Lizard 

 cock. If it was carried out on these lines there would not 

 be much loss of size. Young cocks bred from this cross 

 should not be used for breeding, but sold as songsters. 

 If they should be used they would tend to lower the size 

 of the strain. Only the hens should be used, and these 

 should be paired to Norwich cocks excelling in size. 

 If it is not thought advisable to dip into the Lizards blood, 

 then resource must be had to green blood, and here let 

 me say that the man who seeks to build up a winning 



