I'lOEONS AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



THE POUTER. 



THIS bird has been known for many years, as the "King 

 o' the Doos," a name given him in Scotland, where he 

 is bred to as near perfection as in any country on earth. 

 He deserved to be called the "King" of the doves, for no other 

 pigeon has his royal presence, his stately appearance, and 

 his consequential manner. 



The best authorities all agree that the Pouter was pro- 

 duced by a cross between the Dutch Cropper, and the Horse- 

 man. One of the oldest authorities (Willoughby) says that 

 the Cropper was so called "because by attracting in the air 

 they can and do blow up their crop to that strange bigness 

 that they exceed the bulk of the whole body besides." I 

 imagine that in those days the globe was about 99 points, 

 and length 1. 



We may as well understand in the start that the crop, or 

 globe is not Ijy any means the whole Pouter. In a walking 

 pen, the judge has little time to determine which bird does 

 or does not blow the largest globe. 



If one watches him, (provided a looker-on is allowed) he 

 will notice that almost the first thing the .judge does is to 

 liegin looking over the tall birds. Given all other points 

 equally, the tallest bird will get lirst place, that is if his legs 

 are put on right. 



It was not so long ago, that length of feather was the one 

 great cry, and the bird that could reach the furthest along a 

 tape line was considered a "pouter all over" but in this day 

 19 inches in males, and 18 to 18 1-2 in females suits the 

 best breeders. 



What all are now striving lor is the hollow back, the up. 



