Hints on Breeding Yorkshires. 245 



birds to be avoided, if the breeder does not wish to be continually perplexed with self-imposed 

 difficulties, are those showing Belgian blood. There is no denying that some of those which have 

 appeared of late years are, as Canaries, very beautiful, but the cross is manifestly unsuitable. 

 That the shoulder, hollow neck, and other Belgian traits can be bred out in the course of 

 years may be possible, for pedigree-breeding can accomplish almost anything; but by the time 

 shape is restoi'ed in statu quo, we look in vain for any compensating resulting benefits, while 

 those who go to the posture-bird for help will have to endure a wearisome interregnum, during 

 which their birds are entirely shelved for show purposes, owing to the pertinacious way in which 

 the potency of good Belgian blood will continue to assert itself, the opposite character of the 

 two birds sufficiently indicating the nature of the difficulties to be encountered if the cross be 

 attempted. There is scarcely a single Belgian feature but requires to be entirely eliminated, 

 and we think the prospective advantages are scarcely sufficient to recompense the breeder for 

 fishing so long in troubled waters. 



Also avoid, if possible, pairing two birds, however good, which show a frill on the breast. 

 It is a most obstinate feature to get rid of, and nothing should be done calculated to per- 

 petuate it. We know it is sometimes very perplexing to contrive so as to steer clear of the 

 many objectionable traits which occasionally come to the surface, but the fact that they do 

 come to the surface should have its full weight when seeking to bury them or cut them up 

 by the root, not forgetting also that the presence of certain weeds frequently indicates the 

 character of the soil and what it will produce. More sometimes lies beneath the frill than 

 meets the eye. 



In seeking to breed Marked birds, more trustworthy material is at command than in the 

 Colour section, as we explained when treating of Marked Norwich, and the beginner will find 

 less risk attending the undertaking ; indeed, he can scarcely get wrong in selecting his stock, 

 of which there is usually a fair supply little short of show form, even in the selling classes 

 at most north-country shows ; the frequency with which birds of this description are so exhibited, 

 as well as the long numbers in which they appear in open competition, being evidence of fixity 

 of type so far as marking is concerned. Nor has marking ever been allowed to interfere with 

 correct form, and in this respect the novice has less to contend with than is sometimes the 

 case with Clear birds. The peculiar results attending the Cinnamon cross must, however, not 

 be lost sight of, and the breeder must not be surprised if, from some of his Green-marked 

 pairs, he obtain a sprinkling of Cinnamon-marked young ones. These he will understand 

 how to manage, if he have carefully read our remarks on the peculiarities of the Cinnamon 

 variety in Chapter XVII. He may or may not get these Cinnamon-marked birds, according 

 as Cinnamon blood is present in the strain or otherwise ; but under any circumstances its 

 presence will soon declare itself, and, when so declared, is easily controlled, adding much to the 

 value of a strain at the same time that it increases the field of operation and renders the 

 work even more interesting and to a great extent more certain. And we may observe here, 

 as a corollary to the foregoing, that if it be desired to breed the Cinnamon form of the 

 Marked Yorkshire, Green-marked birds bred from the Cinnamons will produce them in obedience 

 to the physiological peculiarities we have explained, precisely in the same way as the Green- 

 marked birds are obtained from some of the Cinnamons. At the same time, either variety 

 will reproduce itself with certainty if there have been no admixture. In claiming birds at a 

 show at the catalogue price according to the law "therein made and provided," there will 

 always be some amount of uncertainty as to connection with the Cinnamon family; but in 

 purchasing from a breeder, all matters _ relating to pedigree should be ascertained and the 



