The Breeds of Pigeons. 218 



to the English P'ancy. From whence the name was 

 deri\cd there is considerable difference of opinion, but 

 most probably it arose from the richness and bril- 

 lianc}- of its plumage, as there is no reason at all for 

 connecting the bird with the country known b}' the 

 same name. 



In shape and size the Archangel resembles the 

 ordinary common Tumbler. The head should be 

 rather long, Iree (rom stoppiness or angles, and from 

 its base should rise a full, strong, yet maneless, high, 

 needle-pointed peak. Many grand coloured birds, 

 however, come shell-crested, but not s(j frequenlh" 

 as they used to do. The beak should be long, 



slender, and straight, and of a horny colour. The 

 beak wattle ver^' fine and close fitting. The eye, 

 bright rich orange in colour, should be surrounded bv 

 a fine, small, close-fitting' cere, which if rich in 

 colour enhances the other properties. 



Colour is the great consideration ; in fact, it 

 mipht be said to be the Alpha and the Omega of the 

 Archangel. The head, neck, chest, belly, and thighs 

 should be a rich deep bronze ; smokiness or mealiness 

 are great faults, soliditv and brightness being all- 

 essential. The shoulders, back, and rump should be 

 rich ebonv black. The tail also should be black, 

 altliough few birds to-da\' are black in tail, most of 

 them showing a bluish or slaty tinge, e\en the best 

 showing a bar if nothing else. The fliglits when 

 closed appear black, but when opened the webbing- 

 should show a decided bronze tinge running through- 

 out. We have here two decided ground colours ; 

 strange to say, each has its own peculiar lustre. The 

 lustre which should adorn and cover the bronze por- 

 tions of the body should be of a red or pinkish hue, 

 clear, bright, and scintillating. The shoulders, back, 

 rump, and the tail too, if possible, should show a 

 rich green metallic lustre ; the back and rump of a 

 good Archangel possess a wonderful display of sheen. 

 Common faults are a darkness of head, pale colour- 

 less ceres, smokiness of thighs, paleness of rump, 

 bluishness of tail, and an over-running of the pink 

 lustre on to the shoulders. 



