234 CANARIES 



few are bred in which we find type and quality and ac- 

 curate markings together at the same time ! Some 

 birds fail a bit in type, others in shape ; but wonderful 

 is the progress which has been made. 



When we are determined to produce markings at 

 whatever cost, other good properties fly off at a tangent. 

 The fact is, marking has to be fixed before it will reproduce 

 itself with any degree of certainty and accuracy. If a 

 bird possesses type, quality, and perfect markings, 

 such a one should win easily. The judge who in judging 

 a marked class, would put a bird of type and quality 

 with indifferent markings before an accurately marked 

 specimen which is a little deficient in the former, never 

 attempted to breed any, and consequently does not 

 know their value. Those who want to practise the breed- 

 ing of marked birds should read what I have written in 

 the chapters on Yorkshires aud Norwich. 



Greens are very popular indeed amongst Border men, 

 and here again I must refer my readers to the chapter on 

 Yorkshires. 



The Standard of Excellence. 



The standard is that of the Border Fancy Canary Club. 



Points 



Head and Neck. — Small, round and neat looking ; 

 bill, fine ; eyes, dark and bright ; neck 

 rather fine, and proportionate to head and 

 body 10 



Body. — Back, well filled and nicely rounded, running 

 in almost a straight line from the gentle 

 rise over the shoulder to the point of tail ; 

 chest also nicely rounded, but neither heavy 

 nor prominent, the line gradually tapering 

 away to vent . . . . . . . . 10 



Wings. — Compact and carried close to the body, 



just meeting at the tips . . . . . . 10 



Legs. — Of medium length, showing little or no thigh, 

 fine, and in harmony with the other points ; 

 feet corresponding . . . . . . . . 5 



Tail. — Close packed and narrow, being nicely 



rounded and filled in at the root . . . . 10 



