History
All frilled varieties appear to have had a common origin in a mutation that occurred in the old Dutch breed of canary about the year 1800. In the early days they were known simply by the general term "Dutch" canaries but, during the nineteenth century, various developments took place in different parts of the continent which resulted in several distinct breeds. Not all frilled breeds are old varieties, especially some of those developed in recent years in Italy. 

The principal characteristic of all of the frilled breeds is the curling of the feathers into a distinctive pattern which is basically the sane in each case, namely, (a) the "mantle" formed by the feathers of the back being divided by a central parting and curling over each shoulder like a cape; (b) the "jabot" (or "craw", or "waistcoat") formed by the breast feathers curling inwards towards the center in the form of a frilly shirt-front, or closed shell, and (c) the "fins" formed by bunches of feathers above the thighs curling outwards and upwards around the wings. Differences between the breeds range from the voluminous and dense plumage of the Parisian Frill (the largest of the breeds) to the sparse and crisp feathering of the Gibber Italicus (the smallest). Stance and position in the show cage also varies from breed to breed.

Description and Standard
translated from a pamphlet of the Society Serinophile "La Nationale"

The Parisian Frilled Canary is the giant of all known varieties of the canary. It is from 7.75 - 8.25 inches long, from the tip of the beak to the extremity of the tail, and has a wingspan of 11.5 inches. It is a well built bird, robust and vigorous, prolific and a good singer like the common canary. It is distinguished by several special characteristics which form its show properties. These are: TYPE, FEATHERING, ELEGANCE

TYPE
Its length of body and of feather, its massive contours, dense and soft, form an imposing and harmonious general effect. 

FEATHERING
In the Parisian Frill three types of feather can be found:
   Soft (the most sought after), Ordinary or semi soft, Hard 
All three qualities of feather can be equally frilled. 
Among the voluminous plumage of the Parisian Frill, three principal kinds of frill can be distinguished:  The Mantle, The Jabot, The Fins. 

The Mantle: This is formed by the feathers of the back which are divided by a central longitudinal parting between the two wings to fall as elegantly and symmetrically as possible on each side. The feathers of the mantle must be long and well furnished, which adds to the size of the bird. Sometimes they extend well down towards the rump which is a good point. At shows, exhibits having "shoulder", that is to say good width of mantle, will have an advantage. 

The Jabot: This must be double sided, that is to say that the frills, long and well furnished, must adorn each side of the breast and abdomen to form a voluminous frilly "shirt-front", symmetrical and in the form of a closed shell. 

The Fins: These are composed of two bunches of feathers starting from the region of the thighs on each side of the bird to rise upwards concentrically round the wings. To be perfect, the two fins must be symmetrical and adorned with fine, soft feathers which are long and well curled up. 

In addition to these three main kinds of frill, there exist equally a certain number of secondary frills completing the general effect and harmony of the subject. These are: 
The Head: 
     Feathers coming down on one or both sides of the head forming a "skull-cap." 
     Curled up and rolled in the form of a "helmet" 
     Sweeping each side of the face to give a "whiskered" effect. 
The Neck: 
     A general collar of curled feathers. 
The Rump: 
     Feathers falling on each side of the base of the tail, similar to the saddle feathers of a 
     cockerel, called "cock feathers". The rump must be long and densely feathered. 

ELEGANCE
This is brought about by the carriage, which is proud and majestic, by the arrangement of the frills, and by the perfect symmetry of the bird. 

Carriage: Two types can be distinguished: High carriage (well raised up) and Low carriage. At shows, the high carriage will always be preferred.

Flights: The flight feathers must be long and as regular as is possible.

Legs and Feet: Two types can be distinguished which are more or less characterized by the kind of feathering on the leg - 1) where the thighs are covered with long feathers which also cover the rest of the leg to some extent ("trousered" type); 2) the type where the thighs are covered with short silky feathering without any long feathers covering the legs. At shows, a "trousered" subject will always have a preference. 

Tail: The tail must be long and straight, closely folded, and ending as squarely as possible. A deeply forked tail is a fault, as, too, is a raised tail. 

Condition: Being essentially an exhibition bird, the Parisian Frilled Canary must be present on the show bench with all the care possible and in irreproachable condition, meticulous cleanliness and perfect health. 
 

Picture shows a size comparison of a Parisian to a Red Factor

Standard

PLUMAGE:	Long, fine, silky voluminous.	10
POSTURE	Erect, proud, majestic	10
MANTLE, SHOULDERS, BOUQUET.	The middle parting from the back is formed by long and very thick feathers which hang down on either side of the shoulders and the wings. The bouquet, which is one of quality, is shaped by an efflorescent coat of feathers going down towards the back.	10
JABOT:	Long and thick feathers which decorate each side of the breast and form a symmetrical jabot in the shape of a shell.	10
FINS (FLANKS):	Long, broad (wide) and well developed. The supporting feathers above the thighs must strive upwards symmetrically until height of wings.	15
HEAD:	Strong, Chalet: Feathers fall to one side of the head. Casque: upwards striving feathers form a "helmet". Sideboards.	7
NECK:	Well stocked, thick; must have a collar.	3
COCK FEATHERS OLIVE:	Long and thick, with feathers hanging down from root of the tail on both sides.	5
WINGS:	Long, regular, well closed.	5
LEGS & CLAWS:	Long and strong, with well feathered thighs. Corkscrew nails, on young birds root must be recognizable.	5
TAIL:	Long, broad, square end, closed.	5
GENERAL CONDITION:	Accustomed to the cage, clean, healthy condition.	5
LENGTH:	7.5 inch (minimum)	10
TOTAL		100