Answer:

It is that method by which the merit of the birds is determined, with the merits of others in the same class as a basis of value.

The usual manner of procedure is to casually examine all the birds in a class and note those that are clearly of a higher quality than the remainder.

These best birds are then examined critically and the one that is better than all the others is awarded first prize. The next best is awarded second, and this rule is followed as far as it is desired to award prizes.