Objectionable Forms — Classification. 105 



into curl-papers, all of which ideas convey the notion of angularity and a plane superficies rather 

 than that of an elegant convexity^ and are simply the negative forms of the positive properties we 

 have indicated. The edges must not be ragged, as is often the case when it is composed of 

 pointed feathers, giving it a slovenly appearance as if combed out into hair ; but the imbrication 

 must be complete and the outline as clearly defined as the small arcs of the extremities of the 

 feathers of the outer edge of the circle will permit. It must not be thin and sparse, but dense and 

 full of feather, and as like the "rose" of a Trumpeter pigeon as anything we know — which, if we 

 had said it before, might have saved us a few pages of description. 



The classification of the Crested birds is based on similar principles to that of the Plain- 

 headed section, but the order is inverted. We have the three main divisions — Dark Self-coloured, 

 Variegated, and Clear, with subdivisions corresponding, though not exactly agreeing with them in 

 every detail. Every bird in the Plainhead section has its counterpart in the Crests, as will be 

 seen by the following comparison of parallels, in which we arrange the birds according to 

 their value, assuming that the crest itself in each case is of equal merit : — 



Plainheads. Crests. 



(rt) Evenly-marked. (a) Evenly-marked Crested. 



{b) Lightly Variegated. (b) Clear body with Dark Crest, 



(c) Unevenly-marked. {c) Unevenly-marked Crested. 



{d) Heavily Variegated. iii) Variegated Crested. 



{e) Ticked. {e) Grey Crested. 



(/) Green. (/) Self-coloured Green Crested. 



{g) Clear. {g) Clear Crested. 



We will compare their relative values, where necessary, as we describe their respective points. 

 And first we remark that it is entirely a matter of taste or opinion as to which of the first two 

 takes precedence, as both are singularly beautiful ; but as it is more difficult to produce a pair 

 of exact wings than to breed a clear body, the order in which we have placed them is that 

 generally accepted. Groups (c) and (d) are, in most schedules, united into one under the head 

 "Variegated Crested." Also (b), (e), and {g) are similarly grouped under the head of "Clear 

 body with Green, Grey, or Clear Crest," and rank in value in the order named. The Self-coloured 

 Greens are seldom provided for in any schedule, and generally drift away into the well-known 

 refuge for the destitute, the " Any other Variety or Class not previously mentioned." 



The Evenly-marked bird must have no mark of any kind whatever on the head, eye-marks 

 not being recognised as "marks" among the Crests, as they are apt to assume the objectionable 

 character of cheek-marks. The crest, of course, is dark, and should stand out, clearly defined, 

 in bold relief against the golden ground-colour of the body, though there are rare instances of 

 marked wings and bond fide grey or grizzled crest, in which case the birds are admitted in 

 class («) by virtue of their wing-marks, the deficiency of colour in the crest being weighed 

 against their winning points. Any marking on the back of the neck, also, is very objectionable 

 and counts against the bird according to its extent. It is, however, a very common blemish 

 and one very difficult to get rid of, being usually present with Crests having no decided character 

 at the back, where it acts as a cloak to hide defects which would show prominently on a lighter 

 ground. It forms no part of the crest, and is nothing more than a foul blotch, sometimes 

 rendered less obnoxious by being bounded by a tolerably regular line. No argument can 

 elevate it to the dignity of a mark, or show that it is a desirable adjunct, its chief use being 

 14 



