no birds should be allowed to be shown in an unevenly-marked class with less than two distinct and visible marks or patches of a dark colour. When ticks are so slight as to be almost invisible to the naked eye, there can be no valid objection to their being shown in a class for clear birds, and such birds are almost invariably bred from clear birds.

CLASSES.-There are six classes of Yorkshire Fancy canaries, and these are generally divided as follows: Clear yellow clear buff, evenly-marked yellow, evenly-marked buff, ticked or unevenly-marked yellow, ticked or unevenly-marked buff.

POINTS. The principal attractions about these birds are their size and shape, more especially the latter. Another desideratum, and one which ought not to be overlooked, is great length in body. The longer you can get a bird, provided always it is correct in shape, the more valuable it is on this account.

The form mostly admired is that usually termed "straight," i.e., running level all over, from the crown of the head to the tip of the tail. The head should be small and sleek (the cheeks having the appearance of being chiselled) and somewhat flattish on the crown; the neck long, straight, and thin; the shoulders ought to be moderately broad, but not prominent; the back well filled up, but flat and level throughout. The wings are required to be long and well braced together, meeting at the tips, but they must not overlap each other-this is a fault in a bird of any breed; the waist should be long and rather slender; the body inclined to be thin, and flattish at the sides; the tail must be of good length, close and compact in form; the legs long, substantial and inclining to be straight, with good thighs; there should be no appearance of a frill on the breast; and a good bird ought likewise to be very close in feather, and look as if it had been carved out of marble, a real model; colours, pale brimstone, yellow, and pale buff. The attitude should be a little dignified and commanding, but withal easy and graceful. By far the handsomest birds, however, of this particular breed are the evenly four-marked variety.

The evenly-marked birds are rarely so good in shape and style as the clear birds, but this could not reasonably be expected,

seeing that the markings, which are far more difficult to produce than shape, must be preserved intact. The most beautiful specimens of these very charming birds that I have ever seen have been bred in the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire, and in some parts of Lancashire, where they are highly esteemed and greatly prized. The eye markings should be elliptical in form, or in two parallel lines at the front and behind the eye; the wing markings should be even, about seven, eight, or nine feathers in the secondary flights.*

STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE.-The standard for judging the clear varieties-computing 100 points as representing the ideal of a perfect specimen-is considered as under:

STANDARD FOR Judging Clear Yorkshire CANARIES.

The foregoing criterion is equally applicable to the unevenlymarked classes, with the only exception that fifteen points should be allowed for markings, the other points being proportionately reduced to admit of this being done. In the unevenly-marked class a bird with evenly-marked wings and an oval cap is unquestionably the "pick of the basket," so far as markings are a consideration. Next to this in point of perfection is a bird similarly marked, with the addition of eye or

* Some fanciers like a dark feather on each side of the tail; I prefer them without it, and like a four-marked bird better than a six-marked one.

cheek markings, and for a third choice I should prefer a bird with regular wing-markings and a solitary eye mark.

The standard for judging the evenly-marked classes differs materially from that given for the other varieties, as the markings are considered of the first importance in this variety. The subjoined criterion, therefore, will be found applicable to these birds:

STANDARD FOR JUDGING EVENLY-MARKED YORKSHIRE CANARIES.

The illustrations are taken from birds of the true typical

highest-class Yorkshires.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE CINNAMON.

THESE birds have derived their name from their peculiar colour, which greatly resembles that of cinnamon bark used for culinary purposes, although it is much deeper and richer in hue. It is an old-established variety, and its origin, like that of the Lizard canary, is beyond the knowledge of the present generation. It is a breed that has always been regarded with much favour among what I may call the educated fanciers; by this term I mean men who have made canaries a daily study for years. There is something about them quite uncommon in appearance-something totally unlike any of the other recognised varieties in the colour of their plumage; and, although the tint is somewhat quiet and sober, it is nevertheless peculiarly pleasing and attractive. Some twenty years ago the colour of these birds was much less brilliant than it is found among those of the present day, as a rule, for since the introduction of the Norwich Fancy blood into their veins their charms have been considerably enhanced. Indeed, so grave and sombre-looking, so thoroughly drabby were these birds in appearance at one time, that they gained the names of "Quaker" and "Dun" canaries.

If I were to begin to extol the variegated Cinnamons as much as I consider they deserve to be, the probabilities are that some person might feel disposed to remind me that they were merely cross-breeds. Just so; but it is well to remember that some crossbred animals are highly prized, and to give an instance in point

I might mention the cross between the bulldog and terrier, which is, in most cases, a much handsomer dog than either of its progenitors, and a breed greatly valued by the cognoscenti of the canine race.

A reason which militates greatly against this particular breed of birds is that there are so few shows that make separate classes for them; and this is more easily explained than remedied. The north country fanciers, almost without exception, cross the Cinnamon and Belgian Fancy canaries together, as they prefer symmetry to colour; whilst the south country fanciers give precedence to the latter, and for this reason they cross the Cinnamon and Norwich Fancy varieties with each other; the consequence is that, whenever the two distinct crosses of birds meet together in the same class for competition, the awards of the judges very rarely give satisfaction to all parties. Most of the secretaries and committees of shows are fully aware of this bugbear, and rather than run the risk of bickerings arising at their shows, they prefer to make an "any other variety class," instead of giving a special class to the variegated variety.

In some parts of Yorkshire, Lancashire, Durham, and Northumberland, many elegant specimens of the Belgian cross are to be met with-large slender birds, graceful in form and commanding in appearance, with sleek flat heads, exquisitely chiselled, and long slender necks, with good substantial legs, well formed, and a fine erect carriage. Add to these properties a pair of evenly-marked wings and two delicately and beautifully pencilled eye-markings, and you have what I consider a gem of a bird to behold. "There is no accounting for taste," for the cross between the Cinnamon and Norwich Fancy canaries are very diminutive birds, displaying nothing beyond the form of the commonest type of canary, and having no other recommendation beyond their superior colour over the class of birds I have endeavoured to portray; but whether high colour in this case really is an advantage is purely a matter of opinion; for my part I think that the infusion of Norwich blood, giving the colours a brighter and a deeper hue, detracts rather than adds to the appearance of these birds, for I have always considered that one of the most pleasing features about them is the great contrast in