Birds Pigeons 
white on the front of its crop. Its other colors may 
be various. It is a popular pigeon in Europe and 
Asia. 
The Barb is a strong and large bird, with a plump 
body, short legs, broad skull, and short beak. It 
has a large thick, circular bright red wattle around 
each eye. The Barb was a well-known bird in 
Shakespeare’s time, for he alludes to it. 
The Short-faced Tumbler was introduced into 
England two-hundred years ago. It is a diminutive 
THE CARRIER A POUTER 
and sprightly bird, with a broad, well-curved head, 
carried on a graceful neck. The beak is so short and 
fine that many cannot feed their own young, and 
they therefore must be cared for by plebian pigeon 
nurses. When a tumbler flies, it turns very pretty 
somersaults in the air. Some, called Parlor-Tum- 
blers, can fly but a few feet from the floor, even, 
tumbling within six inches of the floor, and alight- 
ing on their feet. Others are high-flyers, tumbling 
only occasionally, and are able to remain in the air 
for hours at a time. The Tumblers have a strong 
homing instinct. 
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