DOMESTIC PIGEONS 251 



although the latter bird was formerly known in this coun- 

 try as the Antwerp. The breed to which the name properly 

 belongs was developed from the old flying birds, various 

 crosses undoubtedly being used. It is typically large and 

 massive, in size perhaps second only to the Runt. Its chief 

 characteristics are the head points. There are three types, 

 known respectively as short, medium and long-faced. In 

 the short-faced the beak is short and heavy, presenting, 

 with the wattle and skull, a curve approaching a circle. The 

 long-faced type has the bill much longer and naturally less 

 massive, the curve being more gradual from tip of beak to 

 crown. The medium-faced lies between the two extremes. 

 The beak wattle should be smooth and neat and just large 

 enough to give the required fullness of face. Eye-cere 

 should be small, fine and dark in color. The iris is deep red. 

 Antwerps are found chiefly in blue, mealy and silver dun, 

 and blue, black and red chequers. Of late years they have 

 decreased in popularity, and in this country are kept very 

 little. 



The Dragoon 



The origin of this bird is somewhat obscure, but it is an 

 old breed, probably a branch of the same stock which pro- 

 duced the ancient Horseman and the modern Carrier. Its 

 close relation to the latter is undoubted, as shown by the 

 tendency of many birds to become very heavily wattled as 

 they progress in years. 



The Dragoon no doubt was at one time used as a mes- 

 senger, but now is a fancy bird, pure and simple. It is of 

 good size, stout in body with short tail and wings. The neck 

 is of moderate length, with no hint of the elongation seen in 

 the Carrier. The head is the point of greatest importance. 

 The skull is broad and wedge-shaped, while the bill is straight 

 and stout. The wattle is rather large, but should be as 



