Uses of the Coppy Cross. 133 



our early nests. We shall consider colour and marking by themselves, because, though every 

 point will ultimately require to be bred coincidently, we do not wish at this stage to make anything 

 indistinct by treating of too much at once. Of the two classes of birds produced, we will deal first 

 with what we have called the refined Coppies, which for future operations will not prove of so 

 much value as the coarser, which in general character lean towards the Norwich. The majority of 

 these finer birds will be found to have neatness of crest rather than size ; and it is not of so much 

 consequence to cultivate the first as the last : neatness is certain to come ultimately with fine 

 feather, and, if aimed at too soon, will eventually result in permanent loss of size, which is just 

 exactly what we don't want. Therefore leave these very neat Crests alone, unless they have more 

 than average size, in which case, if cocks, they will prove valuable mates either for Crested-bred 

 hens of a fresh Norwich strain, or for some of the coarser-feathered Plainhead hens from one or 

 other of the nests which show that the potency of Norwich blood has asserted itself in the 

 direction of shape. If they be hens, they will prove perhaps more valuable still to pair with Crested- 

 bred Norwich cocks from a fresh strain, or selected as before, which will in all probability land the 

 breeder a long way on his journey ; for it does not require many crosses to produce a fair bird, in 

 which the redeeming feature of an extra good crest atones for minor deficiencies. 



The real strength of the cross will, however, be found in the birds showing a departure from 

 the Coppy shape, even though it should be connected with more coarseness than the breeder may 

 care to see. Still, as good crest cannot emanate but from plenty of feather, we must put up with 

 the surplus, if only it brings with it what we want, and by careful mating endeavour to get rid of it 

 as best we can. To this end pair the best cocks with fine-feathered, Crested-bred Norwich hens, 

 still having regard to size, and always endeavouring to select such hens as show good colour points 

 and general neatness, without any suspicion of being puny. Handsome Crested birds are some- 

 times bred small ; but a decrease in size will come quickly enough by the constant infusion of 

 Norwich blood, without being courted too soon by breeding with hens which, however beautiful, 

 are small. It may be taken as one fixed point in the modern Crested Norwich that it is a larger 

 bird than the Plainhead — that is, than the very best of the class — which are only of medium size ; 

 and nothing of the natural beauty of the bird will be lost by breeding it up to a standard rather in 

 advance of the average size of the non-crested variety. We do not think that, as a general thing, 

 the fine, short, compact, silky-feathered bird in which the souls of the veterans among Norwich 

 fanciers do delight themselves can be bred '.Vith the large weeping crest now so much in vogue, 

 and which has established itself as a practical expression of opinion, on the part of the Fancy, 

 that crest in the Crested variety shall be the leading feature. We must admit we have a great 

 admiration for the tenacity with which the old Norwich breeder clings to his bird, scorning all 

 innovation and refusing to sacrifice an iota of the treasured "quality" he has been breeding for all 

 his life even for a form of crest admittedly superior to tlie average standard of the olden time. 

 Talk to him of size of crest, and he has you at once on the fundamental articles of his creed — 

 colour and quality; and when he produces a bird, some exquisite specimen of his skill as a 

 breeder, you feel you are preaching almost a heresy when you hint at the possibility of its being 

 improved on. We must, however, march with the times. The fact is that this beautiful bird 

 is in a transition state, the infusion of Coppy blood having so far altered its character that it has 

 not yet had time to settle down in its new shape in a highly-finished form. The best breeders 

 have gradually adopted the new style ; and though many repudiate the idea of a Coppy cross, 

 and really never had one in their possession, yet any one who knows the influence of a good sire 

 in any department of live-stock breeding can easily understand how, by " picking up " a good 

 stock bird here and there, and importing fresh strains of Crest blood, the Coppy element, 



