148 OUR DOMESTIC FOWLS. 



called the helmet is closely allied to the pre- 

 ceding, but instead of a full tuft or hood on 

 the head, has a crest somewhat resembling 

 that of a helmet. In other respects, there is 

 no difference, except, perhaps, that the latter 

 is rather the largest bird. 



The Trumpeter. — This variety is not often 

 seen. It has a tuft on the back of the head, 

 and another springing above the base of the 

 beak over the forehead ; the legs and toes are 

 feathered. The plumage is generally mottled. 

 Its cooing in the spring is loud and harsh, 

 whence it has obtained the name of trumpeter. 



The Tumbler. — The tumbler is a small 

 pigeon, much esteemed for the peculiarity of 

 its flight, and when a flock is on the wing, the 

 sight is not uninteresting. The title of tum- 

 bler is given in allusion to the backward sum- 

 mersets, often several times repeated, whicli 

 these birds make in the air, but whether from 

 amusement, or from some cause or other they 

 become overbalanced, is not very clear ; we 

 have observed that when they prepare to alight, 

 these somersets are most frequently repeated, 

 and as it would seem, hinder the bird for some 

 time from accomphshiiig its object. Perhaps, 

 however, this is all in playfulness, for the 



