HOMING PIGEONS. 209 



are also sub-varieties with crests and with muffed legs. In fact, 

 the possible varieties of these pigeons must be endless. The most 

 singular thing about them is that European as well as Asiatic 

 fanciers should, quite independently, have found out the possi- 

 bility of producing a beautiful tri-coloured marking on one bird. 



Helmets are marked like Nuns, the top of the head and tail 

 being coloured, but without any crest. The nights are, how- 

 ever, generally white, though coloured flights are also shown. 



Spots resemble Helmets, except that, in place of the whole 

 top of the head being coloured, there is only a large oval spot 

 on the forehead. They are occasionally seen shell-crested, 

 which brings out the Nun relationship very strongly. In fact, 

 apart from the tri-coloured birds, it may be said that nearly all 

 the rest of the Toys seem derived more or less from Nuns 

 and Trumpeters, bred to various colours and markings. 



All the Toy pigeons are hardy birds, good breeders, and 

 capital feeders, but most of them are naturally of a rather wild 

 or shy disposition. We have found several of them, however, 

 rapidly lose this when brought up in confinement, and especially 

 if reared by hand. Many of them would be especially attrac- 

 tive to ladies and children if better known ; and it is to be 

 much regretted that the Any Other Variety class at most shows, 

 by offering more prizes, does not do more to make the public 

 acquainted with a class of birds that possess at least esthetic 

 beauty of a very high order. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



HOMING PIGEONS. 



THIS is the accepted term now given to the pigeons used for 

 flying journeys, whether or not they are also given messages to 

 carry. It appears likely that the old Carriers, Dragoons, and 

 Horsemen were thus used; but these being now developed 

 



