PTGEOXS AXD ALL ABOUT THEM. 145 



colored portions to be bright, deep and lustrous as possible; 

 in blacks the irridescent colors and metallic sheen are most 

 important ; wherever the color extends it must be of one rich, 

 even depth, extending even to the shafts of the tail featheis. 

 Many otherwise good birds often run chequery or ashy about 

 the top of rump and root of tail, which is very objectionable. 

 Blues and silvers should have black tail bars. 



MARKINGS Cut on breast. Sharp and evenly defined, 

 without artificial assistance, the color extending downwards 

 to about the tip of the breast bone, or a very little below, 

 running across the breast-, either in a straight line or slight- 

 ly curving upwards towards shoulders, showing a slightly 

 convex form. It is advisable to raise the wings, and if many 

 foul feathers are discovered between breast and vent mark- 

 ings, the breast should be carefully examined for foul feath- 

 ers or trimming. 



Cut on shoulders. Color extending across the broadest 

 part of the back at the shoulders, from side to side at inter- 

 section of the wing with body, tapering evenly and smoothly 

 towards the tail, and forming an elongated heart or V shaped 

 saddle, showing no ragged edges on shoulders. 



Cut at vent Even and extending only a very short dis- 

 tance from beneath root of tail, no foul or colored feathers 

 extending towards thighs or belly. 



PLUMAGE Close and compact, but not hard feathered. 



DISQUALIFICATIONS Trimming or plucking of foul feath- 

 ers, dyeing or oiling, dark or gravel eyes, heavy markings on 

 back, feathered legs or feet, tumbler form of head or body, 

 chequered or ashy back or rump, want of condition. 



