190 THE PRACTICAL PIGEON KEEPER. 



Archomgels were introduced into England from Ghent ; 

 their real origin no one knows. The name is supposed to be 

 derived from the splendour of the plumage. The bird was 

 scarce for a long time, and only since about 1870 has it become 

 popular ; but a class for the variety is now often very well filled. 

 The head and beak are long, like the thin-faced type of 

 Toys, or the dove, and the head has behind a very pointed peak- 

 crest, with or without a bit of mane below. The rest of the 

 bird is rather slim and long-feathered, and the size rather small. 

 The main characteristic is the plumage, which is remarkable 

 for a fiery, rich, metallic lust/re all over ; the colour itself being 

 black on the shoulders and tail, and rich copper over all the 

 rest. The black pai-ts, however, shine like the rest, with all 

 sorts of green metallic reflections. We have said the tail 

 should be black as well as the sides of the wings ; but, strictly 

 speaking, we have never seen a bird so, every tail being so far 

 bluish as to show a distinct black bar at the end. It has proved 

 so impossible to vanquish this, after many years' trial, that 

 many fanciers now prefer to recognise the blue tail, and no 

 longer reckon the darkest a point in judging. 



Besides the deep-coloured birds, which are the proper type, 

 the same strains produce yellows. These are valuable for 

 crosses, like duns with black Carriers, but in appearance and 

 lustre are themselves far inferior. There are also whites, 

 various splashes, &c., but we believe these are the product 

 of crosses. Whole blacks have more merit, as possessing 

 more of the peculiar lustre. The eyes should be red or 

 orange. 



The Archangel breeds very true, and the chief points to 

 keep in view are peak and lustre. It is hax-dy and a good 

 feeder, and gives no trouble. The Germans have, however, 

 lately produced a bird of standard colour with white bars, and 

 also some other fancy markings, which afford work enough for 

 the most ambitious fancier. 



