120 PIGEONS Am) ALL ABOUT THEM. 



One will be almost a checker, ur so dark as to hardly be en- 

 titled to the name of blue; while the next will be almost a 

 silver. Another will be good in wings and tail, but will run 

 too light in the cu.shion and around vent. 



BLACK FAXTAILS. 



Black fans are becoming quite the rage now, and I am 

 glad to sec it, for a more lovely bird does not exist. And 

 yet they need little descrijjtion, for they are simply the re- 

 verse of the white in color. The same general rules govern 

 as to size, shape and carriage, and the xjoint is to get that 

 sound, pure metallic black, that i.s a black. A smutty black 

 never was, and never will be jiretty. Get a black that has a 

 sheen all over, with ^v lustre on the neck that looks as if 

 burnished. Get tlie feet a rich healthy red that makes a 

 contrast, and the ]iroper white or pearl eye, and that is the 

 black we all want. 



■.;.' YELLOW AND KED FAXTAILS. 



In these two colors, the fancier who loves to experiment 

 will find a good lield. 1 do not wish to hurt the feelings of 

 fanciers of these colors, but 1 must say that good ones in 

 either, are few and far l)etween. 



1 believe that there are a few. a very few, good Reds and 

 Yellows in England, and there may lie in this country, but 

 I have not t.een them. 



It seems sad to think of the years that have been put in by 

 enthusiastic fanciers to try and get sometliing good in these 

 two colors, with such poor results. 



t)ne would suppose that a fair red or yellow bred onto a, 

 good lustrous black, would bring a sound color, with the 

 added style and tail of the black, but experiments have not 

 shown this to l)e the case. The young generally come dun 

 or ash colored in the cushions, and vents. 1 tliink that a red 



