116 THE PRACTICAL PIGEON KEEPER. 



tine or thin. Some people have compared a good beak to an 

 oat-grain stuck into a cherry ; while others prefer a beak which, 

 equally fine at the point, has a slightly thicker base, like that 

 of a goldfinch. There are good examples of both, but a sharp 

 goldfinch beak is the rarer; the essential thing is that the beak 

 run off fine. The wattle on the beak must be exceedingly 

 small and fine, and any excess here, or in thickness of beak 

 will make the best-headed bird look coarse. The colour of the 

 beak is that of a grain of wheat. Black beaks are found, and 

 also give coarseness of appearance. 



It is, however, to be observed that all Short-faced Tumblers 

 are shown with their beaks trimmed, which is not in this case 

 fraud, but long-understood custom. No bird could appear 

 naturally as Tumblers are seen in pens. It was early found 

 that the excessively small beak of the Tumbler grew more dead 

 horn in proportion than other pigeons, and hence the practice 

 no doubt originated of cutting off the superfluous growth. To 

 some extent this is often actually necessary, many beaks grow- 

 ing crossed or wry if not attended to, which seriously injures 

 the health, since no bird in this condition can preen its feathers 

 properly. At all events, it is now the universal practice to 

 trim the beak with sharp scissors nearly down to the " quick," 

 which improves them considerably. This causes no more pain 

 than trimming the finger-nails ; but some people, anxious to go 

 to the extreme limit, have occasionally cut into the quick or 

 living portion, as can be seen by the appearance of blood at the 

 point. Any bird thus barbarously treated should be instantly 

 disqualified. 



The fifth and last property is termed the " eye." This must 

 be large, circular, and prominent, black in the pupil, and the 

 iris white or pearl. The cere or lash round the lids is narrow 

 or small, the feathers growing as close as possible up to the lids; 

 and the eye should be set well down and a little back, so as to 

 give full effect to the height of the forehead. The comparatively 



