139 RUNT PIGEONS. 



one of the largest of the pigeon tribe. Ever since the classic 

 period, these birds have been celebrated among the poultry 

 produce of the shores of the Mediterranean." 



The Rnnt would, therefore, appear to have been distributed 

 throughout Europe from Italy, and the name it bears in 

 France, from where we get the best, is Pigeon Romain, which 

 points to a like origin for the breed. 



Blue and Silver Runts. 



The general colours of the Runt are blue and silver; but 

 there are many others, some of which can claim a high 

 position as fancy pigeons. The Blue and Silver have, perhaps, 

 reached the greatest weights, and are probably the original 

 colours. In appearance Runts are like huge common pigeons, 

 smooth-headed and smooth-legged, but having a rather heavy 

 eye and beak wattle as they get old. The irides are generally 

 orange in the Blues and lighter in the Silvers, and the eyes 

 lie deep in the head, which, when viewed from before, appears 

 naiTow and pinched, considering the size of the bird. As 

 to size, a matured pair of birds (cock and hen) weighing less 

 than 41b. are considered small, and 51b. may be considered 

 the maximum, although I have not heard of any being quite 

 so heavy. From 41b. 12oz. to 41b. 15oz. has been often 

 reached by show birds. 



Fancy Runts. 



The illustration given is from the cock of a pair of Red 

 Runts I got from Messrs. Baily and Son, who imported them 

 from France. Although in general shape and carriage of body 

 they resembled the Blue variety, they at once proclaimed 

 themselves of a different race. The irides are pure white, 

 and form a very striking feature in their appearance. The eye 

 wattle is heavy in front and pinched behind, and, with the 

 beak wattle, is of as bright a red as in the Barb. The under 

 mandible is much broader than the upper, even when shrunk. 



