lor 



249. — They are called by some Fan-tails, and I once saw one that had 

 six and thirty feathers in its tail ; but when they have so many feathers 

 it is apt to make them lop their tails, and not let them meet with their 

 head, which is a very great fault. 



250. — They are most commonly all white, though I have seen both 

 black, blue, red, and yellow pieds, but the white ones have generally 

 the best carriage in their tail and head ; there are two sorts of these broad- 

 tailed shakers, the one having a neck much longer and more slender 

 than the other, but the longest neck is the most beautiful and the most 

 esteemed. 



COLUMBA TREMULA AROTICAUDA. 



The Narrow-tailed Shaker. 



251 . — This Pigeon is reckoned by some a distinct species, though I am 

 apt to believe it is only a bastard breed between the foregoing and some 

 other bird. Its neck is shorter and thicker, its back longer, the feathers 

 of its tail are not so much spread out, but fall as it were double, lying 

 over one another, and the tail generally lops very much. 



which would spoil the best birds. I have found them very good breeders and careful 

 nurses. 



248. (Brent.) — Though white is the principal colour, and I believe the true one, 

 there are also blacks, blues, ash-coloureds, and a few reds. The Germans call this 

 Pigeon the " Pfauen-schwanz," or peacock-tail. The birds are frequently point-headed, 

 that is, the feathers rise up at the back of the head in a peak ; their necks are rather 

 shorter and thicker than the English Fantails, which detracts something from their 

 elegance, but they are good carriage birds, and have large tails ; the colours, too, of 

 some of their varieties are very pretty, such as black with white tails, and white with 

 black tails ; also white with black or blue shoulders. 



248 (Brent.) — The French name for the Fantail is ''Pig^on-paon," and their 

 birds (at least the few I have seen) had beautiful necks, like the English variety. 

 One peculiarity in the Fantail is the frequent appearance of double feathers in the tail 

 that is, two feathers united in one quill. 



(Mayor, p. 131.) — Its feather varies as the former, but are generally white, 

 though I have seen an Almond of this sort, which was purchased by a certain 

 nobleman. 



251. (Eaton.) — What foUy to attempt to breed the Narrow-tailed Shaker, while 

 you can equally as well breed the the Broad-tailed Shakers or Fantails. Wise men 

 (screws) have asked the question, *' How to keep barrels of small beer ?" Fools have 

 answered, " By placing a single barrel of strong beer by their sides." My young Fan- 

 cier, I hope you will not attempt to breed the Narrow-tailed Shaker, while you have 

 the same opportunity of breeding the Broad-tailed Shaker or Fantail, unless in endea- 

 vouring to obtain the Lace Fantail. 



