172 THE PRACTICAL PIGEON KEEPER. 



have been directed to the production of a large spot on the 

 forehead, and a cheek-mark evenly disposed on each side, as 

 shown in the engraving. Both marks should be as free from 

 scattered feathers or peppering as possible. 



The head of the Turbiteen resembles that of the Owl rather 

 than of the Turbit in its shortness, roundness, and down-face. 

 The legs are muffled, or covered with short and grouse-like 

 feathers ; the frill to be as full as possible. Birds are bred 

 both plain-headed, as in the Owl, and peak-crested, like the 

 Turbit ; and both head and colour being so good, Turbiteens 

 have been largely employed of late in Turbit-breeding to 

 improve these points. 



The colour of the Turbiteens being so rich, it may be well 

 to describe the Eastern method of breeding, especially as an 

 Oriental sun is even more difficult to contend with than ours. 

 We therefore transcribe from the " Book of Pigeons"* a para- 

 graph from the account kindly furnished us by Mr. Caridia for 

 that work. 



" A bird produced from a cross of a black and red, whether 

 it is black, bronzed-black, or red, will do to match either 

 with black or red again. Also a bird bred from a cross of 

 a red and yellow, whether red or yellow, will do admirably 

 with either red or yellow again. But birds bred from parents 

 of one colour should be freely mated, as they ought to be, with 

 birds of dissimilar colour: viz., a bird bred from a pair of 

 blacks should be crossed with a bird bred from a pair of 

 reds, and a bird bred from a pair of reds should be crossed 

 with one bred from a pair of yellows ; thus you have black 

 mated to red, and red mated to yellow. As a rule, never 

 breed from a black and a yellow, but if you want to improve 

 black, mate it with a black or red bred from a black and red ; 

 if you want to improve red, mate it with a black or red bred 

 from a black and red ; if you want to improve the yellow, mate 

 * Page 319. 



