86 THE PIGEON BOOK 



Fresh air and a well-ventilated loft are very necessary 

 in the case of Carriers, as they are subject to spouts and 

 watery eye trouble, which are due to overcrowded and 

 badly ventilated lofts more than anything. 



Parrot-beaked Carriers, those with badly jewed wattles, 

 or snipy, puny birds are monstrosities. The real beauty 

 of the breed is in its size, its shape, its carriage, its depth 

 of colour, and its wonderful growth of wattle. Consider- 

 ing the length of time it takes for a Carrier to develop, the 

 man who produces a good one deserves all the success 

 that attends his efforts. 



The Dragon. 



This variety has a very large following. Books have 

 been written on the Dragon, and the breed has held 

 its own in popularity for many years. Well do I 

 remember the fine specimens that Mr. R. Woods used 

 to pen. I also had the pleasure of visiting the lofts of 

 the late Mr. George Cotton, of Sunningdale, whose 

 success as a breeder of Dragons was very great. Ait one 

 time there were several types of the variety, the Birming- 

 ham type and the London type, but at present we only 

 know the one variety. 



Blues were the chief varieties in the early days, but 

 later the Chequers have become great favourites. Yellow 

 Dragons are also very popular. 



So keen is the competition in Dragons that a dozen 

 birds, all good enough to win, which it would be difficult 

 for anyone but an expert judge to separate, are often 

 entered in a show, and the judging is severely criticised. 



Head, beak, eye, cere, and wattle properties are 

 important. The carriage of the Dragon is different from 

 that of the Carrier; it is shorter and thicker-set in the 

 neck. 



