164 



DOMESTIC PIGEONS. 



Chap. V. 



faced tumbler, (c) the English carrier, and (d) the Bagadotten carrier (of 

 Neumeister). all drawn of the natural size and viewed laterally. In the 

 carrier, besides the elongation of the bones of the face, the space between 

 the orbits is proportionally a little narrower than in the rock-pigeon. In 

 the Bagadotten the upper mandible is remarkably arched, and the pre- 

 maxillary bones are proportionally broader. In the short-faced tumbler 

 the skull is more globular ; all the bones of the face are much shortened 

 and the front of the skull and descending nasal bones are almost perpen- 

 dicular; the maxillo-jugal arch and premaxillary bones form an almost 

 straight line ; the space between the prominent edges of the eye-orbits is 

 depressed. In the barb the premaxillary bones are much shortened, and 

 their anterior portion is thicker than in the rock-pigeon, as is the lower part 

 of the nasal bone. In two nuns the ascending branches of the premaxil- 

 laries, near their tips, were somewhat attenuated, and in these birds, as 

 well as in some others, for instance in the spot, the occipital crest over the 

 foramen was considerably more prominent than in the rock-pigeon. 



In the lower jaw, the articular surface is proportionally smaller in many 

 breeds than in the rock-pigeon ; and the vertical diameter more especially 

 of the outer part of the articular surface is considerably shorter. May not 

 this be accounted for by the lessened use of the jaws, owing to nutritious 

 food having been given during a long period to all highly improved pigeons ? 

 In runts, carriers, and barbs (and in a lesser degree in several breeds), the 

 whole side of the jaw near the articular end is bent inwards in a highly 

 remarkable manner ; and the superior margin of the ramus, beyond the 

 middle, is reflexed in an equally remarkable manner, as may be seen in the 

 accompanying figures, in comparison with the jaw of the rock-pigeon. 



Fig. 25.— Lower jaws, seen from above, of natural size. A. Rock-pigeon. B. Runt. C. Barb. 



This reflexion of the upper margin of the lower jaw is plainly connected 

 with the singularly wide gape of the mouth, as has been described in runts, 

 carriers, and barbs. The reflexion is well shown in fig. 26 of the head 

 of a runt seen from above ; here a wide open space may be observed on 

 each side, between the edges of the lower jaw and of the premaxillary 



