202 ]M(;eons and all about Tnp:M. 



THE BARB. 



THE liarli is a variety of pigeou well known the world 

 over, but I am sorry to say that it seems to have ret- 

 rograded in the jiopular fancy in this country during 

 the last few years. At the old-time shows, Barbs were always 

 an important class and well filled ; but latterly they seem to 

 have lost their hold on the popular fancy, and the Barb class- 

 es are not only badly tilled, but the entries are confined to 

 two or three fanciers who still stick to them. 



Barbs have brought very higli prices in the fancy, perhaps 

 as high as any known variety, ilosi of its points lie in the 

 skull, the head total, and the beak and jew wattle. 



In size, the bird is medium, but it ha.s the broad breast, 

 strong and prominent wing butts, and the general "■well 

 built" appearance of birds of its family. 



The beak is short and massive, with a strong, "down-lace" 

 appearance, and the mandibles are of al)0ut even thickness. 



The beak wattle stands out large and full, extending well 

 onto the beak. It is of fine texture, evenly divided on either 

 side, and must not be stained. The jew wattle matches the 

 beak wattle as nearly as possible and must have no stains. 

 The jaw of the liarb is full and .'■trong, and adds to the scjuare 

 appearance of the entire head. 



The eyes are completely surrounded by a heavy eye wattle 

 cf a bright red. The eye is pearl color with dark pupil ex- 

 cept iu whites, which have bull eyes. The legs and feet arc 

 as bright a red as possible. 



The eye wattle, lieing a great jioint, is wortliy of a careful 

 description. It is circular and even, tilling out evenly in all 

 directi<.nis and slunild stand well tuit tiom tlie eyes. Its even- 

 ness is its great point and there should lie no tendency to 



