1(3-2 Pigeons and All About THE^L 



The principal colours arc Black-checiucrs, Blue- 

 chequers, Silver-chequers, Reds, Red-chequers, 

 Blues, Silvers, ]Mealies, Yellow-chequers, Yellows, 

 in something like the order given. 



Between the Black-chequers and Blue-chequers 

 there is very little difference, and it is often difficult 

 to say if a "bird is one or the other. This is due to 

 the fact that breeders trouble little about the colour 

 and marking of birds they pair up. Head, eye, and 

 cere are given all the thought, at the expense of other 

 valuable properties. 



The Silver-chequers are seldom very pure in 

 their ground colour, and there is room here for the 

 exercise of the breeder's energy and ability. The 

 production of a real silver strain of Silver-chequers, 

 with all the other properties in perfection, would well 

 repay any breeder who set himself the task. 



THE EXHIBITION FLYING HOSIER. 



This, one of our modern breeds, is very popular, 

 and has its devotees in all parts of the country. The 

 breed has a strong and flourishing specialist club to 

 look after its interests, and its standard of perfection 

 has been so drawn as to exclude birds showing Show 

 Homer tendencies in head, whilst being a highly 

 refined edition of the same in body. High as the 

 ideal of the standard is, it is astonishing how close 

 to it breeders have attained in a few 3'ears. 



There is a tendency at the present moment to 

 encourage size, which should be checked, because, 

 if allowed to continue, the breed will lose that smart, 

 alert, active appearance which is one of its greatest 

 charms. With tliis increase in size of body has 

 come another failing, or rather objectionable feature, 

 a curving of the face, which has und'oubtedl_\- been 

 borrowed from the vShow Homer. This is altogether 

 opposed to the standard, which distinctly states 

 there should be no such sweep of skull, but a nice 

 straight face, with an imperceptible rise from the 

 beak to the crown. Judges and breeders both should 

 see to it that the craze for size and fulness of face is 

 not allowed to spoil one of the most attracti\'e breeds 

 ^^•e possess. 



