Value of a “Standard of Excellence:' i6 
misled into breeding wrong through any glaring error in judging. Even beyond that, while we are 
not sure that “judging by Standard “ is advisable in England, where technical knowledge Is far 
more defined and general than in the United States, most of what is said about the "absolute 
impracticability of it, and which to a large extent has formerly been our own view as expressed in 
previous editions of this work, has long since been conclusively and simply set aside by American 
experience. All leading American shows were judged by Standard for years; and provided a' 
competent staff was employed, no difficulty was found in it, except that of time. The fact is 
universally admitted that the adoption of the system made judging infinitely better and more 
consistent than it previously was —there. It is remarkable, however, that during recent years the 
delay caused by “judging by Standard” has been felt a serious grievance, and that the popular 
demand is now for “ judging by judges as in England,” which has already been adopted by a few of 
the best American shows. Even so, however, for a Standard generally agreed to in convention, to 
have thus raised the standard of judging, as it must be and is admitted to have done, is saying very 
much in favour of the system. 
Much depends upon how a Standard is used, if it is used in judging at all. Too often the judge 
or amateur calculates the points for one bird, and then passes on to do the same for another. This 
is utterly useless, as he may unconsciously judge one specimen more severely in some given point 
than he did a previous one ; and our own belief is that most objections as to the “ impracticability” 
of Standard judging are due to this cause. The proper plan is, marking only the birds which are 
obviously in the race at all, to figure one point at a time throughout the whole. Taking, for instance, 
comb, that point should be estimated and figured for all the birds before any other point is looked at, 
and so on. In this way, taking one with the other instantly, a really fair comparison can be made, 
with far greater ease, and with no tax upon the memory. When all the points have been thus 
gone through, and not before, the sum totals should be added up. Then, lastly, if the best bird 
so determined fails to impress the eye, taken generally, as worthy to fill the place to which the 
figures prefer him, a careful scrutiny should be made to see if any tangible reason can be found 
for this. In a proportion of cases reason may be found, either in some accidental mistake in the 
comparative value of some point, or the overlooking of some defect which ought to have been 
deducted ; or even, it may be, in the “ Standard ” itself having overlooked some point which 
should be weighed. Figures should always be revised in this way before handing in awaids, 
though particular care must be taken lest some secret partiality may unawares sway the real 
judgment. We can affirm from experience that in this manner very satisfactoiy decisions 
may be arrived at, and such as will alone satisfy the mind in some close and doubtful cases. 
We still think, however, that the eye and judgment of the best judges will and must continue 
to be the final authority at English shows ; using “ Standards,” as the name implies, chiefly as 
permanent canons to which, if correct, it may be expected that awaids will in the main conform, 
and especially not expecting that a book, however perfect, will enable anybody to jud^e 
seems by some in both hemispheres to have been expected. 
Nothing, then, can ever make a judge’s task an easy one, and it is not too much to 
whatever may lighten the heavy burden of his responsibility shall be scrupulously stu 
may be done in many ways. Except in very small shows, a whole clear day shou t e a o e -or 
the task ; and when the public are admitted, as is the practice at some large shows, care should be 
taken that they are at least rigorously excluded from the alleys where judging ,s actually go,, 
on. It is impossible to judge calmly in a crowd. The birds should be rather sparingly fed be 
Hging begins, especially in the Game classes, or handling them will be of little assist 
The task should be begun with daylight, one or two steady men being in attendance, if possible, 
