186 



THE PRACTICAL PIGEON KEEPER. 



occasionally to cross with longer -faced birds, such as is 

 shown in Fig. 32, which gives an idea of what is termed 

 " medium-faced." Some of these show the Antwerp properties 

 so strongly as to be very valuable even as show birds, and 

 the fact that they were called " medium," no doubt, helped 

 to create the false impression as to the right type for the short- 

 faced. It has been shown why the true type is a little towards 

 medium-face. Examining this diagram, it will be seen that 



the curve A E B c 

 gives a good arched 

 face ; there is good 

 space at D, and a 

 massive beak, short 

 before the wattle. 

 It is not the highest 

 type, being too long, 

 but it is true Ant- 

 werp; and when the 

 heads are getting 

 too small (it will be 

 seen at once that 

 Fig. 32 could add 

 nothing to such a good head as is shown in Fig. 25) such 

 a bird may and should be crossed into the strain, often 

 with wonderful results in giving size of head. It is a curious 

 fact that although these longer heads are rarely so wide across 

 as those they are crossed with, they often add width as well as 

 length to a strain with smaller skulls. Hence these birds 

 form part of the Antwerp fancier's regular breeding-stock ; and 

 by a good judge even a bird as long in face as Fig. 32 would be 

 given prizes in preference to the head shown in Fig. 30. 



As regards other points, the Antwerp should be a good 

 flying bird, with symmetrical and powerful wings, medium 

 legs, bold carriage, and a nice taper appearance towards the 



Fig. 32. 



