134 



not follow the judges are bound to award the prize to the best bird of a bad lot. It 

 often happens at shows, that the committees bring out their prize-list, then look after 

 a practical man to assist them, when the mischief is done. From the above list, com- 

 mittees can select whatever birds they think fit, and according to their finances ; if 

 they can only award one prize to each different species, let it be to the best pair, what- 

 ever the colour of feather, tested by their properties. 



388. — I will now give you my reason why I should like the word Splash added to the 

 Almond, to read thus : for the best pair of Almond, or Splash Tumblers, tested by the 

 five properties, head, beak, eye, shape, and feather. I believe it would give great satis- 

 faction to Gentlemen Pigeon Fanciers who exhibit their Pigeons at the shows ; for 

 what is a Splash but an Almond-bred bird ? How often do you hear experienced Fan- 

 ciers preferring a Splash to an Almond to breed, from being more likely to break and 

 spangle the bird ; An Almond and a Standard Almond — where is the difference ? The 

 standard laid down, as regards the feather of the Almond, is as follows : — three colours, 

 viz., black, white, and yellow, in the nine first feathers of each wing, counting fi-om 

 their extremities, and twelve in the tail ; the aforesaid three colours, well developed, 

 would constitute a standard ; but the back, breast, and rump should also be varie- 

 gated, to be complete in feather ; the hackle or neck feathers snould be bright and well 

 broken with the same colours, and shovdd resemble the delicate touches of the pencil 

 of a fine artist. If the judges adhere to this standard, it is possible there may not be 

 an Almond there, consequently the prize could not be awarded ; should a bird be per- 

 fect, save only one feather, in flight or tail, it would be disquahfied for showing as an 

 Almond, notwithstanding it had four other excellent properties. If this rigid rule is 

 adhered to, it will give dissatisfaction to the exhibitors and Fanciers. The pens being 

 fastened up (save only to the awarder of prizes), as they ought to be. Fanciers cannot 

 handle the birds, to see whether they are Standards or not ; besides, the birds having 

 their flights and tail closed in the pen, this could not be seen. Fanciers and visitors 

 would exclaim — 



389. What that bird take the prize ! There are many better birds for head, beak, 

 eye, and shape. The first time I had the honour of attending the Columbarium Society, 

 held at the Gray's Inn Coffee House, London, when the Almond Tumbler, that took first 

 prize, was shown me, I expressed my surprise, being a young head and beak Fancier ; a 

 gentleman, a good Fancier, made it clear to me. He stated it was the only bird in the 

 pen that came up to the standard of feather. It often happens the best feathered birds 

 are deficient in other properties ; besides, when their flights and tail are closed in the 

 pens, you cannot perceive they are Standards, it not being visible. It is otherwise with 

 with the other four properties, viz., head, beak, eye, and shape. 



390. — With regard to those Pigeons that Fanciers consider worthy of a Standard, 

 viz., the Tumbler, Carrier, and English Pouter, — for instance, if the Tumbler pos- 

 sessed feather and shape, two grand properties ; if another Tumbler is shown against 

 it possessing the properties of head, beak, and eye, the bird taking three properties out 

 of five must be awarded the prize. Again, if a Carrier, or Stout Bird, possessed length 

 and thinness of neck, length of body, and great width of chest, — which, after all, is 

 only one property, viz , shape — also the head ; if another Carrier is shown against it, 

 possessing the properties of beak, wattle, and eye, the bird taking three properties out of 

 five must be awarded the prize. Again if an English Pouter possessed the properties 

 of shape, beauty of feather, nevertheless, if another Pouter is shown against it, pos- 

 sessing the properties of length of body, length of legs, and crop, the bird taking three 

 properties out of five, according to the standard laid down by Fanciers, must be 

 awarded the prize, notwithstanding the general appearance of the bird possessing feather 

 and shape, which is truly beautiful. — From a Brother Fancier, 



John Matthews Eaton. 



7, Islington Green, London, (N.) 



CONCLUSION. 



391. Having described all the varieties of domesticated Pigeons with which I am 

 acquainted, it only remains for me to make a few concluding remarks. Most countries 

 probably have some other varieties, which are not known to me, for as a subscriber to 

 the ''Poultry Chronicle " some time back remarked, it is a subject that one man is in- 



