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PIGEONS. 



Closely allied to the Nun, but differing from it in the absence of the shell or 

 turn-crown, is the breed known under the title of Helmets. 



Helmets were, as far as we are aware, first described by Moore, who states : — 



" This pigeon is much about the size of a Nun, or somewhat bigger. The 

 head, tail, and flight-feathers of the wings are always of one colour, as black, 

 red, yellow; and I have been informed there are some blue, and all the 

 rest of the body white, so that the chief difference between them and the Nun 

 is, that they have no hood on the hinder part of the head, and are generally 

 gravel-eyed. 



" They are called Helmets from their heads being covered with a plumage 



HEAD OF HELMET. 



which is distinct in colour from the body, and appears somewhat liko a helmet to 

 cover the head." 



Neither the compiler of the Treatise nor the author of the " Dovecote " furnish 

 any further information on the breed. Mr. Brent, however, writing in the Poultry 

 Chronicle, stated : — 



" This toy, like the preceding, is evidently descended from a German race, 

 namely, the ' Kappen,' or ' Platten-Tummler,' or ' Burzel taube;' but, like the 

 foregoing, their Tumbler properties have been disregarded, and the birds are 

 rarely much thought of, though their pretty appearance ought to bring them some 

 admirers. The upper mandible is dark, the lower light ; the top of the head is 

 coloured, either red or yellow, in a line from the beak through the eye, which 

 gives the appearance of the bird's wearing a cap or helmet, whence the name; 

 the tail also coloured the same as the head, and in those that have feathers on the 

 feet they are likewise coloured : the whole of the remainder of the plumage is 

 spotless white. 



" The old-fashioned Helmet pigeon, with dark flights, as described by Mr. 

 Moore, 1735, I have never seen." 



