24 
Canary Breeding 
used by Davenport in his experiments : they are also very subject to lenticular 
degeneration, many becoming blind from cataract shortly after the first or second 
moult. This is, no doubt, connected with the excessive development of head 
feather, which is an essential point in the variety (Plate IV, fig. 1). 
(8) I have mentioned that almost -^^ of the crests had deficient frontal crest 
development : it may be well also to state that in the Lancashire variety of crested 
canary (the " Coppy ") we have a crest with a front and no back — this being the 
characteristic of the Coppy crest (fig. 4). In it also there is no bald occiput, the 
feather lying close and smooth at the nape like an ordinary crest-bred plainhead. 
It is also necessary in breeding the ordinary or Norwich crest (the variety of 
my experiments) to occasionally introduce Lancashire blood in order to get the 
best results. Hence we have a complex set of conditions existing, which results 
in probably f of the highest class crests of the day having bald occiputs. 
(9) It may be stated definitely that " perfect crest " and " bald occiput " may 
co-exist (fig. 5). 
Fig. 5. A Study in "Crests." From sketches taken by H. Norman at Camberwell (L. and P. 0. S.) 
Show, October, 1906. Class 6. Any variety Crested Canary. 
No. 1. First Prize. Perfect shape, good density, droop, and radiation. 
No. 2. Second Prize. Heavy frontal, weaker back crest, centre too far back. 
No. 3. Third Prize. Smaller crest of good shape, droop, and radiation. 
No. 4. Fourth Prize. Deficient in size, density, and radiation. 
By permission of Cage Birds. 
