BOOK REVIEW BY ROY STRINGER
[this is a transcript of the review printed in cage & aviary birds in January 2004]
THE LIZARD CANARY compiled by David Allen.It was 50 years ago that Terry Dodwell, the then secretary of the Lizard Canary Association [LCA] wrote and illustrated the standard work - the first book devoted entirely to the Lizard canary. It was published by Cage & Aviary Birds and, as well as being reprinted. Information from it has been incorporated into several later books.
Unlike most other birds and varieties, the standard for the lizard has not changed and so Terry Dodwell's book has remained the benchmark for anyone wanting to learn about this breed of canary right up until the present day. Even so, in recent years, there have been calls for a more up-to-date book to be written.
LCA member David Allen has taken up the challenge and spent two years producing the text of a new book, The Lizard Canary. Without professional printing or publishing assistance he has used his computer to create a colorful homemade paperback.
The book opens with a glossary of terms used by lizard fanciers which might confuse newcomers. The meanings of such terms as baldface,lacing, overcapped, smoky, star shoulder and patched cap are all explained.
Other chapters cover subjects like the history of the Lizard, its descriptions, breeding and management, line breeding and exhibiting. The chapter on colour feeding, provided by Jeremy and Anne Goacher, is very well conceived and the chart showing when and what strength to offer colour food will resolve the mysteries of colour feeding that confuse so many novices.
David Allen has wisely accepted the help of several top lizard canary specialists, including LCA Chairman Huw Evans,
president John Scott, secretaries Mr and Mrs Goacher and Paul Dawson, some of whom have contributed chapters.
The Lizard canary is illustrated with colour photographs and will be a valuable source of information for anyone interested in the breed. I am indebted to John Scott, president of the Lizard Canary Association for advice on the historical aspects of this review.
--ROY STRINGER
