256 FANCY PIGEONS. 



proportion. But even taking 7in. limbs to 18fin. in feather, 

 this Pigmy, being 5fin. in limbs, ought to measure 15in. in 

 feather, if formed on the same lines. I pointed this out to 

 Captain Hill, and had the following reply : " In order to satisfy 

 you and myself, I have re-measured my little gem, and find 

 length of feather 13in. in full, or at the outside ^in. more; 

 limb, 5fin. These are the same measurements as were taken 

 by Fulton and a crowd of admirers at the Palace, when the 

 bird was first shown there (not for competition) in November, 

 1879. It appeared there again, two months afterwards, at the 

 Peristeronic Show. Although the above measurements appear 

 out of proportion to those you quote, and are so, according to 

 the old rule for the Pouter, still, no one who has seen this little 

 bird has made the remark that it was not symmetrical; on 

 the contrary, either on or off the block it is considered graceful 

 in form, and walks well, without rumping or jumping. In my 

 opinion, a slender Pouter, with 7in. limbs, well-formed and 

 placed, is much more pleasing to the eye, if under 19in., than 

 one over that length ; but such birds are rare. The limbs of 

 this Pigmy are not spindly, but well-set and stockinged, with 

 the proper curves, not too straight, neither bent, and with 

 perfectly spread toe-feathering. Markings very perfect, good- 

 sized bib, crop and both pinions correct, no approach to bishop- 

 ing, and a true line at belt ; but, like the majority of its large- 

 brethren of same colour, it has a few foul feathers at thigh 

 joints. Flights ample, and well- carried ; colour a deep black; 

 dark orange eye ; pout a good size, and well-shaped ; but, as 

 you intend making mention of it, you ought to know, what was 

 a great surprise to me and to others viz., the discovery, when 

 it was about nine months old, that it had deceived us in its 

 sex, as it turned out to be a hen after being matched up to 

 another hen. It is again keeping close company with a large 

 Pouter hen. I have known other instances of a similar kind, 

 but never one whose action, voice, and coo, were so like to a 

 cock. 



