144 PIGEONS. 



described. This variation occasionally takes place amongst the Turbits also, 

 though at the present time they are generally bred with white tails. 



The Turbit, as represented in the engraving in the Treatise, is plain headed ; 

 at the present date these birds are seldom if ever seen, preference being given to 

 a point of feathers at the back, or to such an amount of turn-crown as forms a 

 shell. It is almost needless to say, that to be successful at an exhibition, the 

 pair of birds must match in the head as well as in colour of shoulder. 



The general character and properties of the breed have been so fully described 

 by the authors quoted, that it is unnecessary to go into further detail. One 

 very pretty variety of the breed has, however, escaped the notice of former writers : 

 it is that in which the black bars of the blue-shouldered bird are superseded by 

 white bars. We have had some exceedingly delicate and beautiful birds of this 

 variety, which, like most white-barred breeds, are, we believe, of German origin. 



One other point requires notice in reference to this breed. Temminck, in bis 

 "Histoire Naturelle Generate des Pigeons," published at Amsterdam in 1813, gives 

 a description of the Turbit or " Pigeon a Cravate," Vol. I., page 198, in which be 

 expresses his belief that the Turbit is not derived from the Rock dove ; this 

 opinion being founded on the excessively short, thick, and bard beak, and on the 

 supposed sterility of the Turbit when mated with the Rock dove, or breeds closely 

 resembling that wild race. We mention this opinion merely to state that it is 

 based on imperfect evidence. The shortness of the beak is no mark of specific 

 difference, and the Turbit is perfectly fertile when mated with any and every other 

 variety of pigeon. The opinion is so destitute of any foundation, that it would 

 hardly be worth contradicting, were it not that it has found its way into books and 

 been accepted as a fact. 



In our experiments on flying pigeons, we have tested the homing powers of 

 both Turbits and Owls. The former we have lost within half a mile of their 

 home, whereas the stout blue English Owls, if well trained, make excellent 

 homing birds. 



