8 



ever the predominating- colour of the adult birds may be, the head, 

 back, and breast lean towards the straw yellow, which is about the 

 darkest yellow the German Canary attains to, whilst the hens rarely 

 get beyond a creamy white, or in pied birds a simple grey. 



Cinnamons and greens, far from brilliant, are often met with and 

 easily distinguished in the same manner ; crested specimens occurring 

 amongst any colors. The few G-erman amateurs who keep Canaries 

 for their beauty fall back upon that long, delicate, frilled breed, 

 called in this country the Belgian. Ihey are sub-divided on the 

 Continent into Hollanders, Parisian Trumpeters, Brussels Fancy, &c. 

 I am pleased to record that for several years British breeds also have 

 been gradually taken into favor. 



It should not be inferred from this deprecatory reference to the 

 appearance of the German Canary that they are in any way unsightly 

 or ugly. Such a conclusion could only be arrived at by comparing 

 very plain specimens with very good representatives of our choice 

 breeds. Quite on the contrary ; the German bird is perky and 

 sprightly, full of life and vigour, and of a pretty, compact, and 

 comfortable looking form. If there are some puny hens to be met 

 with, which scarcely exceed five inches in length, there are many cocks 

 which measure over sis inches ; quite large enough to sing well, to 

 live for years, and to raise fair-sized progeny. 



Apart from size, there are cases in which beautiful markings 

 occur, such as evenly marked wings, where the dark feathers form the 

 letter V i n strong contrast to the pale yellow plumage. When 

 besides the wings (and possibly the tail) the head is also dark, be it 

 in the form of a crest (this I ought to call a crestlet) or of a well- 

 defined oval cap, the wearer of such markings is of enhanced value. 

 The German amateur is not altogether indifferent to beauty in his 

 musical pet, but the producer rarely breeds for " feather." When 

 this is attempted at all, they try to produce the typical markings 

 best appreciated in Germany, viz., a perfectly clear body with a 

 black cap only. A pair of these, one yellow and one mealy, smooth 

 and sleek in shape, are as pretty a sight as most bird lovers can 

 wish for. 



They are difficult to produce, because when breeding from a 

 perfect pair the oval spot degenerates mostly into a hood covering 

 the neck as well as the head ; on the other hand, when imperfectly 



