DOMESTIC PIGEONS 271 



Once a bird of markings, the Magpie has recently be- 

 come one of type. The old-fashioned birds were Tumbler- 

 like in form, but later breeders developed a slimmer sort 

 in which the body, limbs and neck were as slender and grace- 

 ful as possible. Within the last few years a remarkable 

 advance has been made by resorting to an extremely high- 

 stationed French breed, the Bagadais. The advent of these 

 " modern type " birds created a sensation in the Magpie 

 fancy, many old-time breeders being forced to give up. 

 The English firm which produced these birds swept the 

 deck at shows for several years and then engaged in the 

 profitable business of disseminating their stock. Many 

 " modern " Magpies have been brought to this country, and 

 once the markings have been regained will greatly improve 

 the breed here. 



The Helmet 



The Helmet, which comes to us from Continental Eu- 

 rope, is generally considered among the German Toy 

 Pigeons, but it differs from them in general type, and ap- 

 pears to be another Tumbler derivative. At any rate, it is 

 of Tumbler form, with round head, short, stout beak and 

 pearl eye. It is white in general, with the tail and the 

 head, to a line starting from the juncture of the mandibles, 

 colored. The upper mandible is dark, the lower white. 

 Helmets are found in all colors, and there are both crested 

 and plain-headed varieties. 



The German Toy Pigeons 



The German Toys are so called because of the fact that 

 their characteristics are chiefly those of color and markings, 

 rather than of structure, thus making them more easily bred. 

 In body they are of the Rock Dove type, with narrow heads 



