THE CINNAMON 223 



eyeball presents a pink colour different from other 

 canaries. 



This is to me the most fascinating variety of the canary, 

 even as it was the one with which I scored my greatest 

 triumphs as an exhibitor. There is something about 

 the Cinnamon which stamps it as being above the usual 

 run of birds. Its quiet, subdued appearance, easy, 

 graceful style, and well-formed body, all appeal to the eye 

 of the educated fancier. There is a refinement about it 

 not noticeable in any other variety. Although possessing 

 no great brilliancy of colour, it is nevertheless one of the 

 most pleasing and attractive members of the canary 

 family. 



Its Wonderful Plasticity. 



The acknowledged chief characteristics of the Cinnamon 

 — and the one that has such a peculiar fascination over the 

 scientific breeder — is its colour. The wonderful plas- 

 ticity of this colour is one of the most interesting features 

 in connection with the canary fancy, and the most 

 responsible for the development of fancy properties in 

 many other varieties known to the show-room. The 

 Cinnamon has been used for crossing purposes by the 

 breeders of almost every other variety on the show 

 bench. Colour, size, length, and density of feather, 

 and those beautiful markings, have all been obtained 

 from the Cinnamon at some time or other. The breeders 

 of Crests and Yorkshires are largely indebted to the 

 Cinnamon for many of the valuable properties possessed 

 by their favourites. 



Of its origin little is known. Many theories have 

 been hazarded, but I think the most probable of them all 

 is that it is sport from the original Green canary. 



Some enthusiast no doubt noticed it and bethought 

 himself of perpetuating it. A very old theory is that 

 Cinnamons can be produced by pairing two Greens. 

 That Cinnamons have been produced in this way I will 

 not attempt to deny ; but of one thing I am certain : 

 one of the Greens (and that the cock bird) must have been 

 bred off the Cinnamon ; by this I mean that it had 

 Cinnamon blood in its veins. It is most astonishing how 

 the Cinnamon blood lingers in any variety into which 



