26o Fancy Pigeons. 



those who have a place in their hearts for fancy pigeons, whioh the 

 dragoon ia capable of filling, have settled the matter amongst themselves 

 yet. Some short time ago the National Peristeronic Society of London 

 appointed a committee of its members to consider the question, and 

 on the 6th January, 1880, this committee, after taking the subject to 

 avizandum, handed in the following report, which it was hoped would 

 have been accepted as the conclusion of the whole matter, but it merely 

 opened up some fresh discussions, so that their deliverance can only 

 be called an interlocutor after all. 



"Gentlemen, — Your Committee, appointed to consider and note the 

 points of the Dragon, have the satisfaction of presenting in their Report 

 the following enumeration of properties, whioh, subject to your approval, 

 will constitute the Standard of the Dragon, as recognised by the Members 

 of the National Peristeronic Society. 



" The Slcull wedge-shaped and broad, yet proportionate to the stoutness 

 and length of the beak, slighty curved when viewed from the side or 

 front, thus showing no angle or extended flat surface. 



*' The Bealc thick at its base, and so continuing for about half its 

 length, thence gradually lessening in calibre. Measurement from the 

 termination of the beak horn to the anterior corner of the eye, not 

 less than 1} inches. The lower mandible stout and straight ; the upper 

 also thick, and terminating in a slight curve. 



" The Beak-wattle peg-shaped, i.e., broad and perpendicular at its 

 base, narrowing with even sides and longitudinal furrows towards the 

 point of the upper mandible, but not intruding on the lower. 



"The Ej/e-wattle small, not fleshy, nearly circular, slightly pinched 

 at the back'. 



" The Eye prominent and watchful. In Blues, Silvers, Chequers, and 

 Grizzles, the irides of a deep rich red colour. In other varieties, an 

 approximation to this colour ; except in AVhites, in which the iris is 

 dark coloured. 



"The NecJc of medium length, neither thin nor gulleted at the head, 

 and widening boldly at the shoulders. 



"The Breast broad, the Shoulders prominently defined. 



*' The Back nearly straight, neither hollow nor hogged. 



" The Wings strong, the Flights carried slightly above the tail. 



"The Tail running in a line with the back, carried clear of the 



