204 



THE PRACTICAL PIGEON KEEPER. 



varieties. We cannot even describe all of them ; and as nearly 

 all have the ordinary Dove-house type of head and body, 

 breeding is confined to matching for the colour and markings 

 desired, many of which are mere hybrids or sports, like new 

 geraniums. A few of the more characteristic may, however, be 

 taken first. 



Frill-backs answer to Frizzled fowls in poultry, and are 

 remarkable for each feather, except the flights and tail, being 



curled or twisted in 

 a peculiar way. Like 

 the Frizzled fowls, 

 the peculiarity seems 

 independent of any 

 fixed colour or va- 

 riety, and birds are 

 found both plain- 

 headed and crested, 

 clean and feather- 

 legged, and of all 

 colours. But whites, 

 grizzles, and blacks 

 are most frequent, 

 in the order named. 

 Good birds of this 

 sort often take prizes 

 in a variety class. 

 The chief fault is 

 want of curl in some 'part of the body, especially over the 

 shoulders. In breeding, the best curled specimens should be 

 paired together, irrefpective of colour, curl being of far greater 

 moment than all else, and an odd colour standing, if anything, 

 a better chance. 



Florentines, also called Burmese, are most peculiar and 

 characteristic pigeons. They are large, stand high on the leg. 



FbILL- BACKS. 



