PIGEONS AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 181 



I must not be understood as advising my readers not to try 

 t' >r handsome markings, but my suggestion is that they work 

 iirst for fine body properties, and then for the markings. 



The mating of two birds nearly perfect in markings often 

 shows as a result, birds riot nearly so true as either of the 

 parents. Again, the solid colors are far more easy to produce 

 in a type nearly reaching perfection. 



The following will give an idea of the different markings, 

 and I give it in detail because so few (outside of well-posted 

 Tumbler fanciers) seem to know just what some of the names 

 call for in the way of markings. 



Mottles Color sound and even throughout, the wing- 

 marks are white and circular, evenly distributed, butts free 

 as possible from white, the black markings should be Y 

 shaped, well and evenly mottled. 



Rosewings Same as above, excepting back marking. 



Beards The beard, should be small, crescent-sLaped, and 

 not extending beyond the centre of the eye, and in line with 

 centre of beak ; primary flights and muffs white. The rest 

 of the body to be of a sound, even color throughout. Beak 

 should be flesh color in all varieties. 



White Sides The whole of the body, including tail and 

 primary flights should be sound color throughout; the shoul- 

 ders, wing coverts and secondary flights pure white; beak 

 flesh color, except in Blacks. 



Self Colors Red, Yellow, Black and White, sound, rich 

 and even color throughout. Bluck showing a green metallic 

 lustre ; beaks flesh color, except in Blacks. 



Barred Yarieties Blues, Silvers, and Checks, to possess 

 broad, even black bars, and free from ticking or kite color ; 

 beak in Blues and Checkers very dark, and in Silvers horn 

 color. 



