THE PIGEON STANDARD. 59 



THE ARCHANGEL. 



Head. — Long and narrow, with gradual curve from front to 

 bac]ic; round skull, showing an easy curve in all 

 directions; lean face, junction with head to neck 

 almost imperceptible. 



Crest. — Central, needle-pointed, one-fourth to one-half inch 

 in length, and slightly inclined forward, showing no 

 mane behind or beneath it. 



Beak. — Dove shaped, light brown color, slightly curved at 

 end with black marking on top of upper mandible 

 extending from wattle to end of beak, lower man- 

 dible straight. 



Wattle. — Fine in texture and small, showing very little or 

 no white surface. 



Eye and Cere. — Deep orange red ; pupil large and clearly 

 defined, prominent, yet of a rather mild expression, 

 eye cere very small and fine in texture. 



Neck. — Long, slender, graceful, and slenderest at point of 

 junction with head, gently widening toward the 

 shoulders, joining the latter with a gradual curve. 



Breast. — Slightly prominent, plain and neat. 



Wings. — Long, close to body, and tapering to flights, which 

 should be narrow in web of feather, extending to 

 within half an inch of the end of the tail and meet- 

 ing tip to tip, gently resting on the tail. 



Legs and Feet. — Firm and of good length, shank free from 

 feathers and covered with fine scales; toes well 

 separated and long, claws black, legs and feet crimson 

 in color. 



Body. — Rather small in size, narrow and slender, and grace- 

 fully tapering from front to vent, with shoulders well 

 defined and close to the body. 



Color. — Wings, rump and tail rich bronzed black ; around 

 ends of wings and rump jEeathers are arranged bril- 

 liant metallic colors, changing in hue with every 

 change of position; tail feathers black, having a 

 rounded appearance at end; bead, neck, belly and 

 thighs an even, deep, rich copper. 



Plumage. — Close and compact. 



Nature. — Rather wild, yet graceful. 



