The English Pouter. 281 



extra long. Neither form ia fairly to be taken into account in measuring 

 the limb ; the length of an average toenail may only be included, be- 

 cause neither form affects the heighth of a pigeon. The difference in 

 length of limb between the cock and hen pouter ia about jin., so 

 that 6|-in. in a hen is as good as 7in. in a cock. I have seen, in 

 the whole of my experience, only about a dozen pouters with limbs 

 exceeding 7in. in length, the longest being 7fin. I have often had 

 birds put into my hands said to measure Tjin. and 7tin., but I could 

 never make them so much. I measure the limb of a pouter on a marked 

 board projecting from the wall ; placing my left thumb nail in the joint 

 of the thigh, and bringing it exactly to the corner of the board, then 

 stretching out the limb with my right hand, I can find the exact length 

 to rsth of an inch. Others, who also measure without assistance, hold 

 the pigeon by the back in the left hand, place the point of the index 

 finger of the right hand on the joint of the thigh, and bringing the 

 limb down the palm of the hand, ascertain the length from the natural 

 marks on their palm. Thia is a true way if one remembers what signifies 

 such and such lengths on his hand, but not unless, aa I have often 

 found. I do not think there ever have been fifty pouters alive at one time 

 measuring truly Tin. or more in limb. Of more importance, however, 

 than actual measurement of limbs, is their position in the body and their 

 shape. They ought to be placed far back, so that there remains a good 

 length of body between them and the crop. It is only birds so formed 

 that can be very tall. They ought next to be placed closely together, 

 and, when viewed from the front, continue to approach each other 

 down aa far as the hocks ; then, gradually separating, the feet ought 

 to be as far apart as the thighs are at their junction with the body 

 The hocks must closely approach, but not touch, each other, otherwise 

 the pigeon cannot walk gracefully. In profile view, the limbs must 

 form a very obtuse angle at the hocks, on which, again, dependa very 

 much the heighth of a bird. I have shown, in my drawing, as nearly 

 as I can, the correct shape of the limbs from this point of view. 

 While pigeons generally are in-toed, the pouter must turn his feet 

 decidedly out. It ia quite unnecessary to describe all the faults in 

 shape of limb usually seen in pouters, every other form from that 

 described being faulty. Limbs, either too straight and stiff, or too much 

 bent and crouching, are frequent faults, as also are those set too far 



