The Breeds of Pigeons. 225 



the swift. 



This is of eastern origin, and doubtless derives 

 its name from its resemblance to the Martins and 

 Swallows in its great length of flights and tail, its 

 shortness of legs and claws, and its carriage. The 

 Swift is not by anv means a large bodied bird, but its 

 length of feather is extraordinary and unique, being 

 altogether out of proportion to its body, and much 

 longer than that of many much larger Pigeons. The 

 wings, when out-stretched, will in a good specimen 

 measure as much as a yard from tip to tip. It natur- 

 ally follows that such extreme length of feather can- 

 not be gracefully carried, therefore in the show pen 

 the Swift is not by any means an attractive Pigeon ; 

 and it is not much better when on the wing, being 

 a slow and somewhat ungainly flier. The head is 

 round and full, but not large ; the eye is red, the beak 

 short and stout, the neck short and thick, the 

 shoulders broad and prominent. It possesses great 

 depth of keel, with a long, straight breast-bone. 



The colour is a peculiar ashy, silvery dun shade, 

 with a powdered appearance about the neck. 



THE DEWLAP. 

 This bird is usually represented at our large 

 shows, but it is not a handsome Pigeon by any means. 

 Its dewlap or gullet is enormous. It is a big Pigeon, 

 with a large white spot on the forehead, a white spot 

 on each side of the neck, and white outer flights, and 

 barred on wings and tail. In shape it is large, stout, 

 and cobby, something like the English Owl, but 

 larger. It has gravel eyes ; its beak, which is short 

 and thick, has a white upper mandible and a dark 

 lower one. The colours are blues and sihers. 



THE ANCIENT. 

 This German bird is seldom seen at our English 

 shows; in fact, speaking generally, the German Toys 

 are not seen so often as they used to be. The Ancient 

 is a smart little Pigeon, being mid\\av between the 

 .African Owl and the English Turbit. It is a plump, 

 cobby bird, with erect carriage, and the motion of the 



