63 



164. — 3. The next property to be considered is the crop, which ought 

 to be large and round especially towards the beak, filling behind the neck, 

 so as to cover the shoulders and tie neatly off at the shoulders, and form a 

 perfect globe. 



165. — 4. The smaller the girt the better, because by this means a con- 

 trast of beautiful shape is given to the whole bird. 



166. — 5. The last thing that is generally allowed as a property in a 

 Powter is the Feather, and indeed its plumage affords a very great 

 variety. 



167. — The Pieds are most universally esteemed, and under these may 

 be"ranked, the Blue-pied, (*) the Black-pied, the Red-pied, and the Yellow- 

 pied. Each of which advance in their worth "according as they answer best 

 the foregoing properties ; for instance, if the Blue-pied and Black-pied 

 are equal in the measure of the other properties : the Black-pied will be 

 reckoned the best Pigeon, on the account of the feather, and the Yellow- 

 pied if equal, better than any. 



168. — Before we leav.e this head of feathers, we must take notice how a 

 Powter ought to be pied : and in the first place, the chop ought to be white, 

 girt round with a shining green, intermixed with the colour with which he 

 is pied. By the chop, is meant, the front part of the crop, and this white 

 ought by no means to go behind the neck, for then it is said to be ring- 

 headed. 



169. — 2. He ought to have a bib or round patch, of the same colour 

 with which he is pied, coming down from under his chop, and falling upon 

 the chap, which makes it the shape of a half-moon; but if this bib be 

 wanting he is said to be swallow- throated. 



170. — 3. His head, neck, and back ought to be of one uniform colour, 

 and the tail the same, (f) and if the Pigeon be Blue-pied he ought to have 



(165. Eaton.)— I cannot help thinking the Gentlemen of the Pouter Fancy have 

 lost ground, as touching the girt of the Pouter. I acknowledge they have bred some 

 tremendous large birds ; unfortunately they have bred them to weigh too much, which 

 is the property of the Leghorn and Spanish Eunt. A Pouter ought, in hand, to han- 

 dle like a Tumbler, not requiring both hands, or, as the old Fanciers call it, draw it 

 through the ring of your finger, comparatively speaking. Breeding for large birds, 

 instead of symmetry, shape, style and elegance, some have run from one extreme to 

 the other. Formerly, the legs of the Pouter were thin, wiry and featherless ; I have 

 seen some legs so stout they reminded me of mill-posts ; the feathers on the legs rushed 

 out to such an extent, (instead of appearing like down, snow, or being iced,) balks the 

 bird if it attempts to play, not having the freedom of its legs. I would as soon have 

 somewhat thin legs and naked, as to have their legs like mill-posts — rushed and 

 sprouted, preventing the bird walking. There is no accounting for taste when the 

 breeder says he greatly admires it, the smallness of girt gives such smartness to the 

 bird. 



* 167. (Mayok, p. 95.)— The Blue Pied Pouter should be the best sky blue. Or, 

 Powder Blue, as it is termed by the Gentlemen in the Fancy. — J. M. Eaton. 



+ 170. (Eaton.)— His head, neck, back, and tail, ought to be one uniform colour. 

 Mayoe and Giktin have the same words as Moore ; neither of the three mention — 

 with the exception of the Yellow and Red Pieds, then their tails should be white. It 



