2^2 BIRDS 



and thin beaks. In markings and color they present a won- 

 derful diversity, comparable only with the Oriental Frills. 

 Most of the best known Toys are very heavily muffed, 

 although some are clean-legged. To describe all here would 

 require more space than is available and only a few of 

 the most common will be mentioned. 



The Swallow is a typical Toy, with long body and short 

 legs, the latter being very heavily muffed. The head car- 

 ries a wide shell crest. The markings consist of colored 

 crown, wings, except for the scapulars, and muffs. There 

 are many colors, including blues, either solid or with black 

 or white bars, blacks, solid or white-barred, reds, yellows 

 and various spangles and chequers. The Fairy or Spot 

 Swallow is similar, but has the color on t\?e head confined 

 to a small spot on the forehead. 



The Shield somewhat resembles the Swallow, but is 

 plain-headed. It is white throughout except for the wing 

 coverts and secondaries, which are colored, as in the Turbit. 

 Blacks, blues, reds and yellows, with white bars, are the 

 most abundant. 



The Ice Pigeon is of similar type, but has no white 

 markings. The most common ones are of a peculiar pale 

 lavender tint, not seen in any other pigeon. This color 

 extends over the entire bird, being uniform throughout. 

 White-barred, spangled and laced varieties are also bred. 



The Hyacinth is like the foregoing in body, but is 

 clean-legged. It is of a blackish-blue color above and be- 

 low, the wing coverts being of a pale brownish cast, with 

 fine, dark markings. Most of the Toys are represented in 

 this country by a few pairs in large collections. Some, how- 

 ever, as the Swallows, are extensively bred. 



