166 THE PRACTICAIi PIGEON KEEPEE. 



adopts this view. But Mr. Brent, writing many years ago, says 

 of the Owl that " the frill or purll is shorter, more compact, 

 and somewhat rose-shaped." We see even now occasionally an 

 all but circular " rose " instead of a frill in some Owls ; and 

 Brent, in another place, says distinctly that the frill should be 

 thus " rose-shaped." It is plain, in fact, that since Moore's time 

 fanciers considered a circle the general ideal of the Owl ; and that, 

 as they sought for as truly a circular set of curves as possible aU 

 over the skull, so also they sought for a circle on the breast, 

 and a round, short, plump body. It is a pity to lose points 

 that assist distinction; and, therefore, while we admit the 

 present state of confusion, we earnestly hope breeders of this 

 beautiful pigeon will seek to recover the round, short, but 

 amply developed " rose-frill." The frill is occasionally found 

 so ample as to be triple, an extra line on eacH side nearly 

 extending to the back of the head. 



The carriage should be up, with the head thrown back, the 

 feather short, the chest broad, the shoulders rounded. The 

 eyes are generally gravel or orange, except Whites, which are 

 bull-eyed. Eastern fanciers have bred Owls with white tails 

 and divers other odd markings ; but in England they are 

 almost always whole-coloured, the blues and silvers having 

 bars as usual. Many blues are light-rumped, and many silvers 

 kite-barred, owing to a too free use of silvers in breeding ; 

 this fault may be counteracted by crossing with dark, sound- 

 rumped blues or blue-chequers. 



The larger Owls are hardy and generally good feeders ; but 

 sometimes a very well-gulleted bird feeds badly. The small 

 Foreign Owls are very delicate, and need nurses, for which 

 purpose nothing can exceed Common Tumblers. Foreign Owls 

 require to have their lofts well ventilated, yet perfectly free 

 from damp and draught, else they die by dozens : in fact, they 

 are at the best exceedingly delicate birds. Mr. Fulton* states 

 • " Book of Pigeons," p 306b 



