60 PIGEON RAISING 



breeds. The finest specimens weigh but from 

 five to eight ounces each. They were first 

 brought from Tunis, Africa. The owls, tur- 

 bits, and orientals make up the frilled varie- 

 ties. In all there is a general resemblance in 

 short, plump body, short, stout beak, and the 

 frill of curled feathers upon the breast. More 

 importance is given to the shape of the head 

 and beak than to the frill. The feathers at the 

 back of the turbit head are sometimes inverted 

 or curled upwards, forming the point or shell 

 crest, whereas the owl head is always un- 

 adorned, plain. 



The turbit is in all colors and may be of one 

 throughout, or with body white and wings or 

 tail colored. The owl-turbit is a cross of the 

 turbit and owl, and in a measure resembles 

 both. 



THE ORIENTALS 



The orientals are considered by some the 

 gems of the fancy, combining as they do the 

 grace of the owl-pigeon with a peculiarly rich 

 plumage. The varieties have their origin in 

 Turkey, and the characteristic white spot upon 

 the tail, found in no other variety, is considered 

 due to their ancestor, the rock-pigeon, the only 



