99 PIGEONS OF COLOUR. 



of the Mondains (common Runts), and can scarcely be dis- 

 tinguished from them, except by the striking beauty of their 

 plumage. They never have a cere round the eyes, and are 

 generally yellow in the iris. 



" Pigeon Miroite Rouge is the colour of the red blood 

 of an ox, interrupted at two-thirds of an inch from the ends 

 of the flight and tail feathers by a grey-white bar, half an 

 inch broad. The ends of these feathers are of a red colour, 

 a little clearer than the rest of the body; eye, yellow iris. 

 This charming variety, of medium size, produces well, and 

 merits, by all accounts, the care of amateurs. 



" Pigeon Miroite Jaune. This pretty bird only differs from 

 the preceding by the ground of its plumage, which is yellow ; 

 moreover, it is miroite the same on the flight and tail 

 feathers. It has the same fecundity. 



" Pigeon Petit Miroite. Similar to the preceding, but much 

 smaller about the size of the Rock Pigeon. This charming 

 bird is a good breeder." 



Brent says the word miroite is difficult to translate. He 

 was informed that it meant, composed of three colours, of 

 which two were blended in one. A French gentleman has 

 informed me that miroite means flashing e.g., the neck of 

 the Blue Rock Pigeon is said to be miroite. The Miroite may 

 therefore take its name from its great metallic lustre, or it 

 may be a technical name, derived from the blending of the 

 colours in its tail and flight feathers. The Miroite Pigeons 

 may be had in Paris. I was recently offered some by the 

 Parisian dealer, M. Yallee. 



The Hyacinth and its Sub-varieties. 



The Hyacinth Pigeon stands at the head of a French breed 

 which is found in various colourings, and which are all 

 included under the name of Pigeons MailUs (Mailed, Armoured, 

 or Speckled Pigeons). They are large, smooth-headed, and 

 clean-legged pigeons, and have been classed by French 



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