342 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, Maech 5, 1861. 
has been much lost sight of—amateurs have alone looked to 
feather. So it is with the Owl; the hooked beak and bolting 
eye have been sacrificed to colour. The thick head of the Barb 
has sometimes been spoiled, and the shape altered by the cul¬ 
tivation of the turned crown; and the Fantails likewise suffer 
in length and thinness of neck from the same cause.—B. P« 
Bbent. 
We need scarcely add, in furtherance of our correspondent’s 
remarks, that we shall willingly insert communications relative 
to Pigeons.] 
: 
( 
THE BABBIT (Lepus cuNicuirs): ITS HISTOBY, VAEIETIES, AND MANAGEMENT. 
(Continued from page 327.) 
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31 
1HE OAK-LOP. 
The Oar-Lop, so called from the ears in tins position re¬ 
sembling the two oars of a boat resting in the rowlocks in the 
hands of a waterman. This is particularly admired by some 
fanciers, but is as strongly condemned by others. It bears a 
more close resemblance to the perfect lop than any other 
variety of this breed. 
Many Rabbits of the best blood will carry their ears in this 
position, but are unfit for exhibition, unless to compete for 
weight, in which class the ears are not considered. At any rate, 
the ears being thus carried should not he a reason for rejecting 
from the breeding stock Rabbits well formed and fine in every 
lur 
other respect, as they are as likely to produce valuable stock a s 01 
their more perfect relations. 
It is seldom, if ever, that a litter of young Rabbits is produced 
in which every specimen is perfect. Some will be found defective 
in length of ear, carriage of ear, or colour, although the parents' 
be ol the best blood. 
It may be, however, that this peculiarity is the result of f 
cross with the common Rabbit, though, perhaps, at some 
distant period. If this be the case, it is better to fatten sue! 
Rabbits for the table, and introduce animals of a purer strain a; 
a fresh and improving cross.—R. S. S. 
(To be continued.) 
THE CANABY AND THE BBITISH EINCHES. 
(Continued from page 327.) 
8.—THE GOLDFINCH (JFringilla carduelis ). 
German , Steiglitz or Distelfink. French, Chardonneret. 
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Of all the British Finches the Goldfinch is the prettiest and 
most diversified in the gay colouring of its plumage. Its docility, 
attractive qualities, and pleasing merry song, cause it to be a 
general favourite. 
The German name of Distelfink signifies Thistlefincli, by 
which name it is also known in this country, as well as by the 
appellations of Goldie, Goldspink, or Proud Tailor. 
It is a common bird, universally distributed over England and 
Europe. The beak is conical and pointed, more sharply so tha 
any other of our Finches. In colour whitish with a black tij 
which is larger in summer when the bird is in song than i 
autumn or winter. The tail is rather short in proportion to tl 
size of the bird. The plumage of the upper part of the body 
a rich olive brown, varying in shade to almost white on tl 
under parts. The wings and tail jet black ; the primary feathe: 
of the wings are of a golden yellow on the base of the outer we' 
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