there are occasionally classes made for pairs at most of the leading shows, such as Glasgow. It will be observed that separate classes are provided for the females, as it is contended that they do not possess a fair chance when competing against masculine opponents; but our brethren across the border can easily afford to do this, seeing that they rarely give classes for any other description of canaries, unless it be for Belgian Fancy and the common variety. The meaning of the terms "flecked" and " piebald" is that the birds are marked or variegated in colour. In some of the midland counties of England the word "skewed ” is used to signify the same thing.

The enthusiasm displayed by the Scotch people for these birds is most wonderful, and the number of entries at some of their best shows is marvellous. I have known as many as fifty-eight buff hens competing in one class. One other fact is probably worthy of note, and that is that Scotchmen like, as the Irishmen put it, "a power o' judges; " for, at the show held in Glasgow, on the 21st of November, 1868, there were no fewer than twelve judges appointed to officiate, the total number of birds exhibited on that occasion being 428.

POINTS.-There is a difference of opinion, even among Scotchmen, as to the "style" of their favourite birds, and this is accounted for by dividing the fanciers into what they themselves have been pleased to designate the "old school and the new school." The former belong to that class of people who have a great aversion to changes, hence they still appreciate the little old-fashioned Don, whilst the latter are the go-aheads that are always striving to get something better than their neighbours. I belong to the latter class, and for this reason I purpose giving the best description I can of the Scotch Fancy canary of the present day, and which is considered to be - the beau idéal of a Glasgow Don by those who are looked upon as the best authorities on this subject.

Length of bird from 6in. to 7in.; a few, but not many, may possibly exceed these dimensions; head small and flat on the crown, but full of character, with neatly rounded cheeks; neck long and fine; and gracefully arched shoulders rather prominent; back narrow and long, and well filled up, tapering from the

shoulders to the tail; chest full and well formed; waist long and fine; legs long in the shank, with moderately long thighs; tail long, thin, and compact, well " circled," and very free (" souple.”) The form of the bird from the crown of the head to the tip of the tail ought to resemble as near as possible the segment of a circle. The tail, which is considered to constitute one of its chief points of admiration, must be supple as supple can be, and should not exhibit the slightest symptom of stiffness; it should be carried well under the perch without touching it. The legs ought to be set far back, and kept well under the bird. The carriage must be bold, free, and majestic, without restraint, and with a certain air of intrepidity about it.

The markings most admired by Scotchmen are, singular to say, those which are almost universally despised by all English fanciers, viz.: An entirely dark head and collar, a breast mark (which, to be deemed really good, must resemble in form a horse's shoe), heavy wing markings, and a feather or two on each side of the tail; but markings go for very little, and only count when two birds are equal in other points. In a case of this kind the markings would be had recourse to to kick the beam; but a dark, badly-marked bird would be placed before a perfectly marked one, if the latter was inferior in "style" to the former.

Next to form of body, which is one of the great essential characteristics in a good Don, come style and carriage, and a well-formed, free tail; for if a good bird possesses the former and lacks the latter qualities, he is looked upon pretty much in the same light as a woman would be if she were of good figure and had thoroughly classical features, but was wanting in vivacity without warmth, soul, inspiration а mere cold, phlegmatic beauty. A bird to be completely attractive must be full of life and action, which gives a charm and brilliancy to its external appearance that is lost without it-this is style when combined with correct features.

TRAVELLING.-These birds are commonly trained to pass rather briskly from perch to perch by a motion of the hand. This is denoted "travelling," and unless a bird is a rapid and graceful mover its chances as a prize-taker are sure to be greatly

impaired. Whenever a bird travels from one perch to another the motion of its tail is critically observed, and unless it is perfectly free and glib it is reckoned a fault.

STYLE.-The style of a bird is a weighty consideration with Scotchmen. Some fanciers prefer birds with substance about them, although the majority prefer them fine and slender: but if a bird only possesses in an eminent degree the circular form, good shoulders, fine waist, good carriage, activity, and a long free tail, with plenty of length, and compact in feather, the sticklers for stoutness or thinness soon disappear.

STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE.-The following standard has been carefully arranged, and will be found to give the relative value of the different points of merit attributable to each particular feature, 100 points being regarded as a maximum of perfection:

The bird represented in our illustration is a specimen of the

first water.

R

CHAPTER X.

THE MODERN SCOTCH FANCY.

It is with no inconsiderable amount of pleasure, I observe that this elegant and aristocratic member of the canary family has merged from its comparative seclusion, and now creates a wide-spread interest amongst a large portion of English fanciers.

46

Before this variety was described in the first edition of the Canary Book," it was confined entirely to Scotland and the border towns of Berwick, Northumberland, and Cumberland. It is now over twenty years since I became warmly interested in this magnificent production of Scotia, for to our far-seeing and discriminating friends in North Britain are we indebted for this handsome race of birds, so full of grace, beauty, and refinement, elegance of form and contour, combined and blended in a symmetrical whole.

Some eighteen years ago no other variety, with the solitary exception of the Belgian and common canary, were tolerated ayont the Tweed, but since that period great and rapid strides have been made in the endeavour to improve and make perfect this variety. A keen and unerring eye for elegance of form is one of the natural instincts of Scotchmen, and most of them are gifted with critical and refined tastes as well, which guide them in their selection of birds of the most approved type. In the method of judiciously crossing these birds, exhibiting as they usually do much skill and care in producing all the points of merit and excellence observable

in high-class specimens, Scotch fanciers have been able to overcome many obstacles, and to breed out the defects noticeable in earlier specimens.

The great advantage of the present improved race over the old-fashioned "Glasgow Don"-the name by which it was originally known, but which I took the liberty to widen and extend when I wrote my book by giving the broader, and I think more effective title of the "Scotch Fancy "-has been accomplished by blending with the old variety the most admirable qualities of the Belgian canary, this cross tending to improve the style, contour, and symmetry, as well as the ease and grace peculiar to these birds, which in reality constitute their chief features and individuality. One of the greatest difficulties to overcome by breeders has been delicacy of constitution, which arose in consequence of the use of the Belgian cross, these birds being naturally delicate and prone to disease, such as asthma and consumption. To a great extent this difficulty has now been overcome by care and judicious selection. The old Dons are a hardy, vigorous race of birds, and the cross with them and the Belgians has added vigour and robustness to the present breed (which some fanciers term the Scotia-Belgian Canary), many of which are strong, vigorous birds, and full of life and vivacity. They have likewise no doubt been greatly invigorated by acclimatisation and a more effectual method of feeding than is practised in Belgium. The groats given by Scotchmen to their birds add to the enlargement and strengthening of frame and muscle-elements that are wanting in the sylph-like creatures that are so admired by the Belgians.

It is now about seventeen years since the first edition of the "Canary Book" appeared, and in it I strove hard to create among all lovers of the canary a special interest in this particular variety, and I feel gratified that my efforts should have borne such good fruit. But our English fanciers have much to learn before they can hope to compete with Scotia's sons on the show bench, as they are not all fully aware of the characteristics most esteemed and valued, neither are they