THE PIGEON STANDARD. 5 
THE POUTER. 
Length of Feather.—i. ¢. the extreme distance when out- 
stretched—From the point of the beak to the end of 
the tail, eighteen to nineteen inches being considered 
the proper length—the maximum figure to be pre- 
ferred when the leg development is such as to admit 
of easy, lofty carriage. 
Head.—Small and narrow in proportion to the size of the 
bird, forming an elongated arch from the base of the 
beak, measuring about 1$ inches from centre of eye 
to point of beak. 
Crop.—should be globular in form, proportionally large and 
equally distended at all parts; to rise well up against 
the point of the beak, projecting prominently in 
front, and showing but a slight fullness back of the 
neck. 
Girth.—Slender, the greater the length from the lower part 
of the crop to the insertion of the thighs the better. 
Back.—Narrow and long-appearing, slightly concave with a 
rrooved line from base of neck towards rump, shoul- 
ers tucked close to body. 
Breast.— Narrow and convex, showing very little keel. 
Flights.—Should be of sufficient length as to reach nearly to 
the end of the tail, barely meeting at points directly 
over and close to the tail, to fold close and narrow. 
Tail.—Should be sufficiently long, and narrow enough to 
harmonize in the general taper of the bird, round 
ended and free from tendency to fork at extremity. 
Limbs.—Generally Jengthy, both in thigh and shank, meas- 
ured from thigh-joint to tip of toe nail, constituting 
about three-eighths of the length ofthe bird. In 
referring to length, it is not necessarily meant the 
mere measurement by rule, but as well aform and 
position that both looks long to the eye and at the 
same time enables the bird when on a level floor to 
stand talland upright without being tilted forward 
by its tail. ‘The thighs should be close together, and 
start from a position well back on the body, allowing 
room in front forthe much desired long waist, the 
heck but slightly shown—almost straight, the entire 
limb well “stripped,’’ showing to the fullest extent 
what length and form of limb the bird may have. 
The feet should incline slightly outward, and the 
knees in, toes spread, not doubled under or cramped. 
Leg and Foot Feathering.—The legs should be covered with 
short, soft feathers, fitting close and forming a com- 
plete mask for the entire limb, with only enough 
covering at the hock to hide the knuckles from view, 
