THE PIGEON BOOK 89 



shoulders, good feathers, and wonderful substance of skull 

 and head. 



The long-faced variety is a big powerful pigeon, with 

 great sweep of head and thickness of skull. Very con- 

 siderable differences of opinion arise as to the varieties; 

 that is to say, what really is a short-faced or long-faced 

 bird or a medium-faced one. 



Antwerps are shown in all colours, such as red chequers, 

 mealies, and blue chequers, but I cannot call to mind 

 seeing any blacks penned. 



There is no doubt many varieties owe much to the 

 Antwerp. This cross has been used to produce many other 

 breeds, and the show Homer in recent years has got very 

 Antwerpy. 



Antwerps kept in good roomy lofts are a fairly hardy 

 variety, but having been much in-bred in recent years a 

 fancier who takes up this variety wants to make certain 

 of starting with sound stock. 



CHAPTER EIGHT. 



THE POUTER, THE NORWICH CROPPER, AND 



THE PIGMY POUTER. 

 The Pouter. 



To a lover of a really handsome pigeon the Pouter 

 must appeal. 



I know of no finer sight than to see a flock of Pouters 

 on the wing. With their great crops, gobbling in the air, 

 their long stretch of wing and pretty markings, there is 

 no more elegant pigeon than a well-bred Pouter that would 

 add a touch of beauty to a country-house pigeon-cote. 



Modern varieties, easier to produce, that keep cleaner 

 in towns, have somewhat taken the place of the Pouter 

 amongst the ranks of the Fancy. But as long as the 



