234 PIGEONS AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



_ . . . 



THE TRUMPETER. 



r T^HE Trumpeter is one of the most odd looking birds in 

 the fancy, and while not a general favorite, is bred to 

 the very highest point by quite a number of enthusi- 

 astic breeders. In old days it was sometimes called the 

 Laughing pigeon, but it now goes by the name of the Russian 

 or Bokhara Trumpeter. This bird is said to be a native of 

 Russia, but the great majority of those in this country were 

 imported from Germany. That the trumpeter is one of the 

 most peculiar vagaries of the pigeon tribe, all will admit, 

 I know of no other pigeon that has the "rose" so developed, 

 and the nearest approach to it in any bird is in a breed of 

 Canaries that have it. This rose is a complete circle be- 

 ginning at the centre of the skull, covering it entirely, ex- 

 tending over the eyes and over almost the entire beak. 



The crest of the trumpeter is similar to that of such va- 

 rieties as the Swillow and Nun, and it rises behind the rose, 

 making a sort of double head covering. The larger this 

 crest the better of course, and it should begin below the eye. 



As to boots, the trumpeter stands almost alone, if I may 

 'except the Spot or Fairy Swallow. There is no great length 

 of feather at the hock, but the booting grows heavier as we 

 go down, until, on the outside of the foot it reaches an enor- 

 mous length. 



This bird is very deceptive in size, some of them, through 

 their wonderful and loose feathering, looking as large as 

 Runts, but the body is no larger than that of a medium 

 ized pigeon. 



The eye of the trumpeter is white. The standard colors 

 ;ire, mottles which are far in the majority and come lirst, and 

 blacks and whites, with a few reds and yellows. 



