204 FANCY PIGEONS. 



" The Chinese Gull is somewhat larger than, but not so finely 

 built as, the Egyptian Gull (Tunis Owl). The beautifully 

 arched head is smooth, and not so angular, but rounder ; the 

 strong bill, somewhat crooked in front, is a little longer, in 

 the form of a Parrot's beak, with which bird this pigeon 

 has much resemblance in many respects — as, namely, in 

 bearing, neck, and eyes. The eye is large, the iris orange- 

 coloured, and very lively; the breast is full, the neck short 

 and powerful ; the pinions reach to 12 millimetres from the end 

 of the tail; feet and toes are short and smooth. The jabot 

 (frill) on the breast and neck is the most peculiar thing about 

 this pigeon. "When it stretches its neck the crop is invisible, 

 as it is hidden behind the so-called cravatte. This cravatte is 

 formed by several rows of feathers, which stand upwards, on 

 the under side of the neck, lying closely to each other from 

 one side to the other. Proceeding from this, the jahot goes 

 downwards to the middle of the breast, forming a rosette. 

 The feathers from this point radiate to all sides, reaching 

 almost over the breast, and offering a beautiful sight. This 

 pigeon became known in Germany only a few years ago, and 

 therefore the price for a pair is still rather high. It is found 

 in blue, with black bars, black, yellow, silver-grey, and some- 

 times white. 



" J. Destriveaux, a fancier in Paris, who accidentally came 

 into possession of a pair, originated the name Chinese Gulls. 

 There exists a certain obscurity about the descent of these 

 pigeons ; however, they probably owe their origin and propa- 

 gation to chance. Some ships laden with sugar, returning 

 from the East Indies, brought, shortly after 1850, a large 

 number of Chinese Gulls to Tilsit and Memel, and that in so 

 excellent a plumage as nowadays is no more to be seen. 

 From thence, these pigeons came into the South of Germany, 

 and disappeared from the market for a long time, until, later, 

 they re-appeared in Paris, from which place the distinguished 

 fencing-master, A. Prosche, in Dresden, got possession of some, 



