CHAPTER XX. 



THE ICE PIGEON. 



This variety derives its name from its beautiful lavender blue colour, 

 considered by the German fanciers to resemble blue ice, hence ita name, 

 (lie JSistaube. It is also known by the names nwhl and lasurtauhe, signify- 

 ing meal and azure blue pigeon. There are several varieties of the 

 ice pigeon, the simplest form being of a beautiful clear light blue 

 without wing bars, but with dark flights and tail bar. This form is 

 probably the original of the others, and is known in Germany as the 

 holilhlaue taube, from its resemblance to the stock dove. It is of the size 

 of the common field pigeon, but more thick set and broader chested, 

 shorter necked and legged. It should be heavily feathered on the legs and 

 feet. It has a dark beak and nails, a reddish yellow iris, and is smooth- 

 headed. The first remove from this form is that in which the colour is still 

 more delicate and silvery, and in which the dark flights and tail bar almost 

 disappear, and become nearly of the same tint as the body feathers. 

 The next form of the ice pigeon, originally from Silesia, is of the same 

 colouring as the preceding, but with white wing bars beautifully edged 

 with black and with black tail bar. The newest and rarest form is 

 known in Germany as the porzelaniaithe, or porcelain pigeon, and 

 in addition to what the last-mentioned variety — the Silesian — shows, 

 is chequered or spangled over the coverts of the wings, shoulders, upper 

 and middle back, with narrow white spots fringed with black. 



The make and shape of all these varieties are similar. They are found 

 smooth, medium, and rough-legged, bu.t are preferred heavily feathered. 

 The smooth-legged chequered or spangled ones are known in this country 

 as Ural ice, while the rough-legged spangled birds are called Siberian 



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