SPOTS, MAGPIES, ETC. 
3, 
BALD-PATES AND HELMETS. 
Here we have bane and antidote ; the naked head, and something 
to coTer it. Like the preceding two varieties, these are also what 
are called *Toy Pigeons' — mere playthings, not ranking very high 
in the estimation of breeders. The first is a pleasing bird, with a 
head much resembling that of the Tnrbit and Jacobin. It is a 
robust bird, a strong flier, and prolific breeder. It derives its name 
from having the head, tail, and flight feathers white, and the rest of 
the body of some uniform colour, often slate; or else the body 
white, and the head, tail, and quills coloured. 
The Helmet is also valued for having the plumage of the head 
distinct in colour from the body. 
SPOTS, MAaPIES, AND SWALLOAYS. 
These are varieties of much the same breed as the above ; the 
form, size, and powers of the birds remaining pretty much the same, 
there being certain varieties of colour only, which follow a definite 
rule in all the sub-races ; the leading principle being that the head 
exliibits a marked contrast to the body. In none of these are the 
colours shaded or blended with each other ; but in all the line of 
demarcation is as sharp as the junction of the. white and the chestnut 
in a piebald horse. 
The Spot derives its name from a coloured spot in the forehead ; 
except this mark and the head, the plumage is a clear white, ac- 
cording to colour of these exceptional parts. This, which is one of 
the oldest Toy Pigeons, introduced, it is said, from Holland, is called 
the Black, Blue, or Eed Spot. 
The Magpie is a descendant of the once- celebrated Magpie Tum- 
bler, which has now become obsolete, or nearly so. 
It is called the Black or Eed Magpie, according to the colour of 
the head, neck, crop, scapular feathers, and tail, the rest of the body 
being white ; on the accuracy and distinctness of the markings, tho 
value of the bird consists. 
LACE AND FEIZZLED PIGEONS. 
These are both great rarities, valued on that account, and for tho 
peculiarity of their feathers, the fibres of which appear disunited 
from each other throughout the entire plumage, so that they stand 
out like frizzled hair. The birds which most nearly approach to 
them in that respect are the Silky Fowls. 
There are several other kinds of foreign Pigeons which may bo 
occasionally seen in collections in this country. They are chiefiy 
valued as specimens of rare and beautiful birds, and, even if we had 
space to describe them, would be out of place here. 
Of those species of Doves or Pigeons which we find both in a 
