PIGEONS AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 157 



THE TURBIT. 



THIS is a justly popular variety. For neat contour, 

 pretty markings, and a general high-bred and dainty 

 appearance, it has few equals. It is one of the old 

 standard varieties and has been bred for many years. Out 

 of it have grown a host of "made" birds ; but the Turbit is 

 the foundation of them all. It shows it, for no matter how 

 we attempt to disguise them, the Turbit properties stand out 

 boldly. The Turbit is. a small bird, in fact much of its 

 dainty appearance is due to its diminutive stature. It has 

 a. short, round body, full and prominent chest, shoulders 

 well tucked in, flights short and resting on the tail, which i.s 

 also short and closely folded The head is large in propor- 

 tion to its body. It is round, very full above the eyes, and 

 a side view should present a curve from the back of head 

 clear around to the tip of beak. It has a peak and a mane, 

 also a frill on the breast. 



The peak is a delicate point, rising just back of the head 

 centre, and the mane goes well down the back of the neck. 

 In the old standards a shell crest was admissable ; but the 

 latest standard, 1898, calls for a "point." The beak is short, 

 thick and strong, and the upper mandible sets in a curve 

 over the lower, which fits tightly in. 



The face is broad, with puffy cheeks, and the eyes are full 

 and prominent. The beak wattle is small, but well defined; 

 and must not rise so high as to break the perfect curve of 

 the head. 



The frill is double, turning back both ways. It should be 

 full as possible and taper nicely into points on each side of 

 the gullet, which latter is full and extends from lower beak 

 down to the frill. The neck is naturally full for so small a 



