THE BEARD. 113 



its name is the principal feature, and consists of 

 an unbroken crescent-shaped patch of white at 

 the throat, below the beak. The foible of some 

 Fanciers is to reduce the size of this white patch 

 to almost microscopic proportions just a speck 

 of white under the chin. Judged by the 

 standard of the beautiful, this class of Beard 

 looks paltry and ridiculous. It tolerates a few 

 white feathers on the throat certainly, but it 

 looks as though they were there by mistake. 

 We feel that their presence is an intrusion to be 

 apologised for. Seeing it is the marking that 

 gives the bird its name, let it be a bold feature, 

 prominently observable, something to be ad- 

 mired. It is the contrast of colours that gives 

 the bird its charming effect. Little contrast, 

 little charm. Let it be pronounced as possible. 

 The marking most highly esteemed is what 

 is termed the " swallow throat." The white 

 feathers start from the eye on each side, and 

 take a graceful curve downward to the throat. 

 This makes the most attractive and showy-look- 

 ing bird. The perfect " swallow throat " is dif- 

 ficult to obtain. Frequently a streak of white 

 feathers wanders capriciously off behind the eye, 

 on either side the head, resembling detached 

 fragments of cloud straying away from the 



