Variegation, part 1: the pied factor

Posted on 17/01/2017 by Huw Evans Leave a comment

Those of you who have followed the history series will know that, thanks to the illustrations of Marcus Zum Lamm, variegation first appeared in domestic canaries some time around 1580 in Germany. By the turn of the seventeenth century, Hervieux’s list informs us that French canaries were being graded according to their colour and markings […]... Read More

Lizard canary basics, part 13: in fine form

Posted on 09/01/2017 by Huw Evans Leave a comment

My guest contributor this week is Ernest Gracia, an OMJ judge living in Gibraltar, and presently a co-opted member of the IOA committee, as its representative in Gibraltar. Ernest is not a Lizard canary breeder, but he takes a special interest in the breed and is regularly invited to judge at the two Spanish Lizard […]... Read More

If it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have no luck at all

Posted on 30/12/2016 by Huw Evans 7 Comments

“Born under a bad sign I been down since I begin to crawl If it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have no luck at all” If you recognise the lyric, you will almost certainly be humming the tune. The stanza is taken from Born Under a Bad Sign, a blues classic (1). Even if you don’t know […]... Read More

The bee bird

Posted on 23/12/2016 by Huw Evans Leave a comment

“The stately homes of England, How beautiful they stand, To prove the upper classes Have still the upper hand.”... Read More

It is dangerous to be right when men in authority are wrong

Posted on 20/12/201620/12/2016 by Huw Evans 3 Comments

“If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.” “When it is a question of money, everybody is of the same religion.” “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” (1) As you may have noticed, I am rather fond of starting […]... Read More

A visit to Jules

Posted on 16/12/2016 by Huw Evans 3 Comments

I’m not sure that Jules Etienne needs any introduction, but for the sake of completeness, I will write one anyway.... Read More

Midland LCA show 2016

Posted on 12/12/2016 by Huw Evans 1 Comment

The Midland show is a great opportunity for those late-bred and late-maturing birds to show what they are capable of. It’s quite an art: those of us who were around in the nineties will remember Stan Insall always had something up his sleeve for the late shows – often the National winner! This year, […]... Read More

fine spangled sort

The London Fancy and the Lizard canary

Author: Huw Evans