May 30, 1872. ] 



JOURNAL OF HOETICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



Carrier Pigeons, part of two pairs which had been supphed by 

 the defendant Mr. Watkius, of Byford, near Hereford. Plaintiff 

 having called Mr. Bulpin, of Bridgewater, and Mr. Ace, of 

 Ystalyfera, to prove the diseases of the bii-ds, also proved by 

 other witnesses that the birds arrived diseased. The defendant 



tried to prove the birds caught cold in transit, which accounted 

 for the disease being on them when arriving. It was shown 

 that the practice of selling Pigeons diseased was a common one, 

 and this action was brought to make an example. The jury re- 

 turned a verdict, with costs, for plaintiff. — (Swansea Herald.) 



THE TBUMPETEE. 



T"HE Tnimpeter, like all cultivated varieties of the Pigeon I wliich it differs are so distinct and remarkable that it has made 

 family, has its ardent admirers ; for, although its peculiar pro- fi-iends of its cn-n in aU lands, 

 perties are closely imitated in other breeds, those points in | Some modern writers credit the ancient Egyptians or Ai'abiaas 



■with the production of the Trumpeter, as w-ith so many other 

 Tarieties of our favourites, a suggestion, we think, most likely 

 correct, for the earliest records of the old world show the Dove 

 had then been long domesticated, and was an established 

 favourite. 



Russia has furnished some of the best specimens of the 

 Trumpeter we have heard of, nevertheless, we should be m- 

 cUned to believe there the breed had been improved rather than 

 originated. 



There is a peculiarity in the coo of this bird, distinct from any 

 other breed ; it is a prolonged sonorous coo-coo-cooing, to which 

 the variety owes its name. r^ ^ ' 



The majority of the breed are Black, Black Mottles, ai"l 

 White. There are a few Reds, Yellows, and Duns, but we be- 

 lieve the Whites are the most numerous, and present birds of 

 higher properties than any other coloured Trumpeters. The 

 Blacks have many good birds among them. Next to White 

 the most prevalent are the Black Mottles, a very large and 



meritorious variety • and now that its other points are so near 

 perfection, we hope to see more regard paid to their marking, for 

 we know of few birds that would better repay the attention 

 necessary to perfect them in that featm'e. 



Their properties are rose, crown, muffs, colour, and size. The 

 rose is above or at the root of the beak; it should be large, flat, 

 and circular. The hood or crown should be even, large, and 

 rise well from the back of the head, so as to give full effect to a 

 front view. The muffs should be long, strong, and well-pro- 

 portioned, as represented by the engi-avin". As to colour, the 

 purest white, jet black, and the best marked mottled, will have 

 the preference in their respective classes, other points being 

 equal to those of their competitors. With regard to size the 

 present taste is in favour of the largest. 



The first element of success in Pigeon-faucying is cleanliness, 

 and for this variety it is especially necessary, otherwise one of 

 its chief attractions, the muffs, will become an eyesore. 



Many fanciers in the breeding season cut the muffs short, 



