The Breeds of Pigeons. 211 



The colourb are black, yellow, red, blue, siher, 

 cream, and dun, and in importance follow, in great 

 measure, the order in which I have given them. The 

 blacks are far in front of the other colours. 



Reds and yellows are much on a level, as are the 

 silvers and blues. Duns are not so popular as they 

 used to be, neither are they so perfect in points as 

 they one time were. A decided effort is now being 

 made by several prominent breeders to bring them 

 to the front again, and in a short time there will 

 doubtless be great improvement in their head proper- 

 ties. Blacks, reds, vellows, and blues are generally 

 good in colour ; the silvers fail mostly in colour of 

 hackle. Creams are \'ery une\en, some looking like 

 bad washy vellows, and others showing a mealiness 

 which is not at all desirable or attractive. Duns also 

 are verv varied in shade, some beinsj a hard dark 

 colour, and others a dirty drab ; and some are 

 chequery, a great fault indeed. Richness, clearness, 

 brightness, and evenness of colour in all varieties is 

 much to be desired, and when this is obtained with a 

 brilliant iridescent sheen, the effect is most striking, 

 the white body setting off the coloured markings in a 

 most effective manner. 



THE NUN. 

 This is another Pigeon which derives its name 

 from its markings, the Nun's hood or veil which 

 graces its head and throat. This is one of the breeds 

 which seems to have lost some of its former popu- 

 larity, possibly due in some measure to the great 

 difficulty of producing high-class specimens. It is 

 rather peculiar, but lovers of the Nun are most stead- 

 fast in their loyalty, and there are to-day a number 

 of breeders who have been steadfast in their adherence 

 to it for manv, many years, notwithstanding its 

 decline in popular favour. The reason it has not 

 advanced is because it has not drawn unto itself fresh 

 followers in sufficient numbers to make up the natural 

 leakage which takes place in all varieties. This, 

 however, is now being remedied, the club devoted to 

 this variety having created many new fanciers. 



