■ioC, 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



that I can see out of this vexed question will be for every com- 

 mittee of management to have inserted in their schedule a 

 marginal note, fully explaining the nature of the marks to he 

 regarded as even-marking, and vice versa. The adoption of this 



simple but effective plan will ultimately give a " key to the 

 situation," and will extncate both exhibitors and judges from a, 

 dilemma neither pleasing nor profitable. — Eoet. C. Wai-lace, 

 Berwick-on-Twecd. 



THE MAGPIE PIGEON. 



In describing this variety of Pigeon it is not necessary to enter and though very pretty, there is nothing about it especially 

 into details of the breed ; indeed, its chief points and peculiari- [ attractive. It has, however, merits which- are not lost sight of 

 ties may be soon enumerated. It is not to be numbered amongst or forgotten, for happily our fancies differ, sometimes materially 

 the strikingly beautiful kinds, nor is it conspicuous for any re- [ so, and amongst this diversity of thought the Magpie comes in 

 markable or peculiar feature, nor is it even a novelty to us, for for a share of admiration and a place in oui- hobby house, 

 we have long been familiar with it, and petted and admired it. The accompanying engraving will show the chief points of 



the breed, which come under two heads — viz., colour and mark- 

 ings. The engraving, together with the following brief descrip- 

 tion, will suftice to show the points most desirable. 



In general formation the Magpie resembles our common Dove- 

 honse Pigeon. The head and beak are of a Dove-shaped spindle 

 character, the beak being thin and compressed at its base, and 

 as hard, horny, and shai-ply curved towards its point ; the fore- 

 head is rather prominent ; the legs of moderate length and free 

 irom feathers ; indeed, the Magpie has no ornamental outgrown 

 feathering, but is a clean, smooth-sm-faced bird, tight-feathered, 

 sleek, smart, and active. 



Its markings should be as follows :— Head, neck, breast, and 

 ■saddle black or coloured, terminating in a clear weU-detined 

 line. Across the breast, around the saddle, and down the back 

 to the extremity of the tail, and underneath as far as the vent, 

 shotild also be black or coloured to a clearly-defined line. The 

 entire wing, beUy, and thighs must be pure white. The line of 

 separation in the markings is an important point. The white 

 must be pure, and the black deep and glossy, richly iridescent, 

 or, as it is called amongst fanciers, " full of colour." This re- 

 splendent richness should not be merely confined to the neck, 

 but ought to extend throughout the black feathering of the 

 bh-d. Sometimes (for instance, in very old birds of high''(iuality) 

 the metallic gloss will be found to the vei-y extremity of the tail. 

 This " colour," as it is termed, is chiefly applicable to the black 



variety, though Reds are often seen fairly besprinkled with 

 glossy colour, and when such is found other good points as often 

 accompany it, which, of course, greatly enhance the value of 

 the bird. 



Magpies are of four colours — ^viz., Black, Red, Yellow, and 

 Blue. Good birds of the three colours last named are rather 

 scarce. The Reds and Yellows are apt to come of a dingy hue 

 upon the back and throughout the tail. This is a fault whicli 

 often shows itself in most Pigeons with coloiu'ed backs and tails, 

 or with coloured flights. A dingy drab, a slaty colour, or a 

 muddled " dun," too often comes where we hope for a clear and 

 pure colour. Blacks and Y'ellows seem to be the favomites, 

 probably from the fact that the best Magpies are to be found of 

 those colours. 



The eye of the Magpie is generally of a " pearlish" colour ; 

 though many good birds have eyes of an orange colom-, tho 

 "pearl" or pearlish eye is preferred. 



Pm-ity and richness of feathering, together with exact mark- 

 ing, are the chief features of the breed. 



In the Black and Blue varieties the beak should be very dark, 

 and in the Reds and Yellows it should be Ught-coloiired. 



Magpies are pretty fair breeders, and breed, as a rule, true to 

 character, but, like other varieties, the whole of their progeny 

 are not as we coiUd desire. 



They ai'e not seen to advantage within the limited bounds of 



