321 THE TUMBLER. 



the eyes, should also be white. The line should be cut straight 

 and sharp. This marking is known as "high cut," in opposi- 

 tion to that in which the white extends farther down the 

 neck, which is called " low cut "; and if the line of demarcation 

 is uneven, or if the white in any case dips down in patches, 

 the bird is said to be "slobbered." The Baldhead ought to 

 have pearl eyes, but many otherwise good ones are spoilt by 

 having one or both eyes bull, or dark hazel, in colour. This, 

 however, in a flying Baldhead, is an intolerable fault for the 

 show-pen. The primary flights should be white ; and, as they 

 almost invariably number ten in each wing, the correct mark- 

 ing in the Baldhead is spoken of as "ten-a-side." White to 

 the turn of the flight would be the more correct standard, as 

 Tumblers sometimes have only nine primary flight feathers. 

 Next, if the bird be lifted up by its wings, it should be aU 

 white below them, including the rump and tail, with its upper 

 and under coverts. If it has any coloured feathers on thighs 

 or vent, it is foul-thighed or vented — both vei-y great faults. 

 If the colour of the breast does not finish off in a straight, 

 sharp line, about an inch before the thighs — evenly belted, 

 as it is called — it is faulty. In shape of head, beak, and body, 

 and in size and carriage, the Baldhead is similar to the small, 

 clean-legged, flying Tumbler. I have never seen any with 

 feathered legs, and I am not aware if such exist. 



The Baldhead is a good flyer, and a favourite pigeon with 

 many, on account of its beauty, both when, seen close or in 

 the air. It is sometimes a good tumbler, though not so gene- 

 rally as the common Tumblers first described, for, having 

 in many cases been bred for feather, or for high flying alone, 

 the tumbling propensity has not been so carefully cultivated,- 

 at the same time, I have had and seen many really first-class 

 tumbhng Baldheads. 



I have never seen any almond-feathered common Baldheads, 

 but they might be produced in time by crossing with the 

 common Almond Tumbler. I have seen yellows with a few 



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