80 FANCY PIGEONS. 



(the Pigeon Coquille Tete de Morte, or Death's Head Shell 

 pigeon), which has only the head and bib black, all the rest 

 being pure white. It has clean legs and pearl eyes. 



The Latz Pigeon. 



The German Latz, signifying Bodice or Stomacher Pigeon, 

 also called in Germany the Latz Shell Pigeon of Holland, and 

 Helmet Pigeon, is of the size and type of the Field Pigeon, 

 and a good flyer and breeder. Its head is adorned with a 

 peculiar helmet, or large shell hood, not found so marked 

 in any other species. From the back of its head to 

 halfway down the back of its neck the feathers run up and 

 to the side, forming an extensive hood. They do not lie 

 closely and in a mass, but loosely and in disorder. The beak 

 accords with the colour of the marking. Blues, Reds, and 

 Yellows, according to Neumeister, seem to have died out, 

 while the Blacks are frequently to be found under the name 

 Wiener Latztauben (Yienna Bodice Pigeons). The head, front, 

 and sides of the neck and breast, as shown in the illustra- 

 tion, are coloured, giving the appearance of a coloured bodice, 

 from which the bird derives its name. The rest of the 

 plumage, including all the shell feathers, is white. The eye 

 is said to have a brownish-black iris, but is yellow in 

 Neumeister's illustration. The feet and legs are generally 

 stockinged, though sometimes heavily feathered and hocked, 

 or trousered, as Neumeister calls it. The Latz is certainly 

 a pretty pigeon, and would make a good addition to the 

 aviaries of those who like birds of well-contrasted markings, 

 and likely to breed very true to them. 



The Starling Pigeon. 



In Germany the Starling Pigeon goes by the name of 

 der Staarenhals (the Starling Neck). It is a Continental 

 variety. In size, shape, and in style of head and beak, 

 it is similar to the common Field, or Dovecote Pigeon. The 



