PIGEOXS AXD ALL ABOUT THEM. 



THE DUCHESSE. 



THIS is a biid that is not well known to the masses, yet 

 latterly they seem to have grown in popularity. 



The Duchesse looks simply like an overgrown com- 

 mon pigeon, booted. There is no question but that the old 

 stock came from the other side-, supposably from Germany 

 or Holland. 



The great points with the Duchesse are size and breeding 

 quality, yet withal they are handsome birds, and have many 

 attractive ways. They come in all colors. 



The beak is long and line, with the upper mandible far 

 more heavy than the lower and slightly curved at the tip. 

 The eye should be large, full and round, with a mild expres- 

 sion, just i he reverse of the Homer and birds of that class. 

 The neck ! > very short, and sets nicely on very broad shouL 

 ders. Back broad, wings closely folded, with tips meeting 

 over the tail. 



The tail is closely folded and is held up from the ground- 

 The legs are short and strong looking, and are heavily boot- 

 ed from the hocks to the tips of toes. 



They come either smooth-headed, or shell-crested. They 

 are good home birds, fine breeders and feeders, and as stated, 

 have many good points to commend them to the public, yet 

 they will never rank up in class with the true "fancy 1 ' 

 pigeons. 



