PIGEOXS AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 143 



MAGPIE STAXUAKD. 



SiZK — Small, from aotuul measurements, good average 

 specimens, in good conditicju, weight for cocks from 9 1-2 to 

 10 1-8 ounces, hens from 8 1-2 to 9 1-2 ounces; and when 

 standing in a natural i)Osition measure from sole of foot to 

 toil of head from 8 to 9 1-2 inches in heiglit, the length from 

 tip of beak to end of tail, without stretching, from 12 1-2 to 

 14 inches. 



Shape — Apparently long, slender and snake-like, chest 

 full and round, but not broad, the body round, thin, and 

 gracefully tapering from front to vent, with no approach to 

 owl or tumbler form, shoulders well defined, but not carried 

 prominently as in the dragoon, legs set well Ijack to show 

 breast. 



CAitRiAdE — Is a very important cTiaracteristic of the Mag- 

 pie, but if tlio shape be good and true, tlie proper carriage 

 is almost sure to follow; it should be smart, sprightly. The 

 Ijody well i)oiscd on the graceful and slender limljs, the neck 

 and body forming a continuous easy curve, but the neck 

 must not incline backwards, head and lieak carried hor- 

 izontally, flights and tail neatly folded. 



Head — Must be long and thin, round on toj] of skull, show- 

 ing a soft easy curve in every direction — tlie term snake- 

 headed is often used, but does not apply, as many snakes are 

 flat-headed, which is quite a reverse of what is wanted in 

 tlie Magpie — as nearly even in substance throughout as pos- 

 sible, not wedge-headed, no stop at junction of head and 

 beak, but rising with a gradual curve from front to back, 

 flue and neat at back of skull, iean face, with no approach 

 to owl or short-faced tumbler form. Junction of head with 

 neck to be neat and almost imperceptible without throatiness. 



Beak — Should be long, thin, and nearly equal in substance 

 throughout, with slight hook at end of mandible, but no dip 



