252 BIRDS 



smooth and fine as possible. It should be of such size and 

 shape as to complete a nearly straight line from tip of man- 

 dible to crown, above which it should not project. The 

 eye-cere should be narrow and dark in color. The eye is 

 bright red, except in whites, which are dark-eyed. 



Dragoons are one of the most popular breeds just now 

 on both sides of the Atlantic, and are extensively bred. 

 They occur in many colors. 



The Carrier 



Whatever the origin and the former uses of the Carrier 

 may have been, it stands today as a breed which once was 

 known as the " King of Pigeons," but now has greatly de- 

 clined in popularity. It is probable that the ancestors of 

 the Carrier and the Dragoon were identical, and both 

 breeds may have been used for flying in the early days. 

 However this may be, the Carrier was soon evolved into an 

 exhibition bird, with neither the ability nor inclination for 

 flying. 



The Carrier is of large size, and strong but slender 

 build. The legs and neck are considerably elongated, giv- 

 ing the bird a high station. The skull is flat and narrow, 

 and the beak long and stout. The chief points are in the 

 enormously enlarged, flesh-colored beak wattle and eye- 

 ceres. In adult specimens the former extends to the end of 

 the beak on both mandibles, and should be spherical in form. 

 The eye-cere should be circular and reach nearly, if not 

 quite, to the base of the wattle. These growths are but little 

 developed in the young birds, increasing gradually until, at 

 the age of three or four years, they are at their best. 



As already remarked, the accentuation of the abnormal 

 wattling, which cannot be called attractive, has reduced the 

 numbers of followers of the Carrier. Those who remain 



