186 



THE PRACTICAL PIGEON KEEPER. 



occasionally to cross with longer - faced birds, such as is 

 shown in Fig. 32, which gives an idea of what is termed 

 " medium-faced." Some of these show the Antwerp properties 

 so strongly as to be very valuable even as show birds, and 

 the fact that they were called "medium," no doubt, helped 

 to create the false impression as to the right type for the short- 

 faced. It has been shown why the true type is a little towards 

 medium-face. Examining this diagram, it will be seen that 



the curve A e b o 

 %^^ \ gives a good arched 



face ; there is good 

 space at d, and a 

 massive beak, short 

 before the wattle. 

 It is not the highest 

 type, being too long, 

 but it is true Ant- 

 werp; and when the 

 heads are getting 

 too small (it will be 

 seen at once that 

 Fig. 32 could add 

 nothing to such a good head as is shown in Fig. 25) such 

 a bird may and should be crossed into the strain, often 

 with wonderful results in giving size of head. It is a curious 

 fact that although these longer heads are rarely so wide across 

 as those they are crossed with, they often add width as well as 

 length to a strain with smaller skulls. Hence these birds 

 form part of the Antwerp fancier's regular breeding-stock ; and 

 by a good judge even a bird as long in face as Fig. 32 would be 

 given prizes in preference to the head shown in Fig. 30. 



As regards other points, the Antwerp should be a good 

 flying bird, with symmetrical and powerful wings, medium 

 legs, bold carriage, and a nice taper appearance towards the 



rig. 



