GENERAL INTRODUCTION. 



IXJ 



of the grand mother ; (3) in the collie-Dalmatian pups, 

 which are apparently a reappearance oi: fairly remote 

 ancestors ; and (4) in the fantail-owl-archaiigel pigeon, in 

 which we have an almost complete reversion to the common 

 ancestor of all the pigeons. Examples of progressive and 

 of a combination of progressive and regressive changes 

 might also be given. 



To return to the Clydesdale's second hybrid. Is it 

 more a zebra than the first because the mare has been 

 saturated by her zebra mate, or can the difference be 

 otherwise accounted for ? I think in the second hybrid 

 we have evidence of further reversion than in the first 

 to the ancestors of the dam, and at the same time more 

 of the characteristics of the zebra or o£ the ancestors of 

 the zebra. 



The Clydesdale's second hybrid (Black Agnes) is the 

 darkest of all the zebra hybrids I have bred. I have 

 already stated that mares have more influence in deter- 

 mining the ground colour than the zebra, probably because 

 they have not departed so far as the zebra from the 

 original colouring. Unfortunately I have been unable to 

 find out the colour of the recent ancestors of the Clydes- 

 dale mare ; but as the white fantail pigeons resemble a 

 white grandparent instead of their blue parents. Black 

 Agnes probably takes after a grandparent having latent 

 stripes. This would not only account for her being a 

 nearly black-mouse dun, but also for the faint horse-like 

 stripes across the croup. 



The numerous stripes proclaim the influence of the 

 zebra sire, but quite as suggestive ol: the zebra are the 

 make, movements, general habits, and intense vigour, in 

 all of which Black Agnes is a striking contrast to Brenda. 

 From the outset the second hybrid has been more intense 

 and more vigorous, and more restless when away from 

 her dam, than Brenda. It is conceivable that the dark 

 colour of Black Agnes is partly due to the fact that she 

 is a stronger and more vigorous foal than her full sister 

 Brenda, for intense energy often expresses itself in deeper 

 or richer coloration. 



