303 WATTLED PIGEONS. 



before, what may be called the four primary barred colours of 

 pigeons include the silver with dun bars. There are many 

 variations in the colours of wing bars in pigeons, one of which — 

 the body colour of the silver with the black bar of the blue, or 

 as near it as possible — is what many consider a silver ought to 

 be; but I know this is a mistake. The golden dun barred 

 Dragoon, generally called brown barred, is a well-known variety, 

 which ought to be recognised. It has a yellow iris and light 

 beak. 



A well-known breeder of blue Carriers told me that, having 

 an odd blue Carrier cock matched to an Antwerp hen as feeders, 

 he bred a young one from them which so took the fancy of a 

 Dragoon breeder that he gave him £7 for it. 



The following is from the " Treatise on Pigeons," 1765, 

 page 89 : " They are very good breeders, and good nurses ; and 

 are chiefly kept as feeders for raising of Powters, Leghorn 

 Runts, &c. 



" The following may be depended upon as fact, notwithstanding 

 the appearance of incredibility, as several gentlemen now living 

 can affirm the same if requisite: 



" A gentleman of my acquaintance, having a small wager 

 depending, sent a Dragoon by the stage coach to his friend at 

 St. Edmond's Bury, together with a note, desiring the Pigeon, 

 two days after his arrival there, might be thrown up precisely 

 when the town clock struck nine in the morning, which was 

 accordingly executed, and the Pigeon arrived in London, and 

 flew to the sign of the Bull Inn, in Bishopsgate Street, into the 

 loft, and was there shewn at half-an-hour past eleven o'clock 

 the same morning on which he had been thrown up at St. 

 Edmond's Biu'y, having flown seventy-two miles in two hours 

 and a half ; the wager was confirmed by a letter sent by the next 

 post from the person at St. Edmond's Bury. 



" I could relate several more exploits of this nature performed 

 by Dragoons ; particularly of their being thrown up and 

 returning home by moonlight, &c." 



