I'lOEONS AND ALL Allol'l THEM. 



SWALLOWS. 



THE Swallow itj essentially a "toy'' bird, its pretty mark- 

 ings being tlieiesultof crosses for color in the past, 

 arcl the credit for its production is given to (Uermany, 

 where it holds a high place among the '"(iernian Toys." 



No bird has more beautiful or more pronounced markings 

 the contrast being so distinct as to strike the eye at once, 

 even when the bird is far off and on the wing. 



There seems to be no limit to the endless varieties of mark- 

 ing that can be produced. .Some years ago the Fentliercd 

 World produced a cut of a Spangle Spot Swallow, one of the 

 most lovely things I ever saw. The wings are spangled and 

 the row goes clear down the flights, while the spangle on the 

 boots is also plainly to be seen. At another time it printed 

 a reproduction of a Spot or Fairy Swallow, which was almost 

 as beauLifuL 



Eveiy breed however lias its drawliaiks, and the only one 

 with the swallow is, that it is liiiid to l>reed it true to 

 marking. 



Necessarily in a '•made" bird, foul feathers will continually 

 show, and this drives many a young fancier out of this va- 

 riety, for no matter how jjerfect his old liivds are, he is sure 

 from time to time, to iind foul marked ynuiig. 



The marking of the perfect Swallow is veiy simple. If he 

 is a black, the entire body must be snow white. The skull 

 is jet black and this color line must be sharply drawn at tlie 

 base of the crest, which is a complete cup ci est and snow 

 white. Then beginning sharply at the shoulder the entire 

 wing must be jet black and then we go past the bocks (which 

 are long or " vult'ure" hocks) and the black i)egins again 

 sharply at the knee, and extends to every feather in the 

 boots. 



