PIGEONS. 329 



clean pearl eyes, are other properties of this little pet. Yellow, red, 

 blue, and black, are the colours most usually bred, and in point of 

 colour the yellow birds are preferred before all others. According to 

 the rules of the fancy, the tail, flight, and head must invariably be 

 white. Some of these birds have their legs and feet covered with 

 feathers. 



THE CAPUCHIN, 



In its properties, is closely allied to the jacobine, indeed, some 

 fanciers consider it a mixed breed between a jacobine and some other 

 kinds; whilst others affirm that it is a distinct species of pigeon. 

 It has a longer beak, and is altogether larger than the jacobine; it is 

 destitute of the chain, but its hood is extremely pretty. 



This bird has sometimes been passed off as a jacobine, but it is a 

 distinct variety, as it has a bigger head, longer beak, and is a larger 

 bird. The chain of feathers does not flow so near the shoulders of 

 its wings, and neither that nor the hood are so compact and close as 

 those of the jacobine, although the feathers of which they are com- 

 posed are longer. 



THE LAUGHER. 



This bird is of Oriental origin, and was first brought into Europe 

 from Palestine. In size and shape it resembles a middling- sized 

 runt ; the colour of its plumage is usually a mottled red, and some- 

 times blue. Its eyes are very brilliant, clear, and pearly in tint, 

 approaching to a white. It derives its name from a singular note 

 which the cock utters when he seeks his mate, which greatly re- 

 sembles a laugh. 



THE TRUMPETER. 



This variety of the pigeon tribe is almost as large as the runt, and 

 resembles it in shape. The crown of its head is round, and the 

 larger it is, the more it is prized ; a tuft of feathers rises from the 

 root of the beak, and according to its size so is the value of the 

 bird, and its legs and feet are covered with feathers. These birds 

 derive their name from making a noise like the sound of a trumpet, 

 and this they always do in the spring time of the year ; those 

 persons who wish to hear their trumpet-like call at other times, 

 supply them plentifully with hemp- seed, which invariably has the 

 desired effect. They are generally pearl-eyed, and in plumage black 

 mottled. The trumpeter is not an especial favourite amongst true 

 fanciers, notwithstanding its curious note, as it is usually classed 

 amongst those pigeons which are called "Toys." 



