Mr. Wiltshire on Carriers. 
57 
saicl, ‘ box-beaks ’ are very scarce, and it is only in young birds that the beak properties are 
particularly noticeable, as when the wattle becomes developed with age many imperfections then 
become hidden from observation. 
« The beak-wattle is, I consider, one of the most, if not the most important property, and the 
most difficult to obtain in perfection ; it is, in fact, the principal feature which distinguishes this 
variety from all other kinds ; hence the bird cannot well be called a Carrier in the absence of the 
point by which it is identified. I have never yet heard any fancier complain of his birds having 
too much beak-wattle, although remarks are loud and frequent to the contrary ; and as it does not 
arrive at maturity until the bird is quite three years of age, it is easily understood, considering the 
high breeding and other ills more particularly incidental to this class, how few attain to perfection. 
“ The correct formation of the beak-wattle I have always considered to be as follows : — The 
back of the upper part, nearest the head, to commence about one-eighth part of an inch from the 
outside circle of the eye, nearest the beak, and to rise gradually forward until the highest part is 
nearly in the centre, somewhat similar to the head of a cauliflower. To this should be joined a 
second or smaller wattle, almost similar in shape, falling forward to the tip of the beak ; and good 
old fanciers insisted upon a third, in continuation, still less in size, which was termed the rose. The 
under part, called the ‘jew/ or * jew- wattle/ should be in shape something like to the upper, but of 
less extent ; and when perfectly formed the whole presents a grand appearance to Carrier fanciers, 
who but seldom differ in opinion on this point when they see an extra good bird. 
“ I do not like the upper part of the wattle to be formed of one piece with a smooth surface, 
but prefer it in several divisions, the whole fitting together and presenting a uniform appearance. 
With regard to size I do not consider it of so much importance as proper formation ; and although 
I have had birds with wattles exceeding four and a half inches in circumference, yet I should have 
been infinitely better contented had they been half an inch less, but possessing the other points 
I have mentioned. A bird with a wattle tilting well forward is not likely to be crowded in the 
eyes, and, further, it has the appearance of being longer in the beak than one with the highest part 
of its wattle at the back, and touching the eye-wattle. 
“ Some few years since a strain of Carriers existed having as much wattle on the lower as on 
the upper mandible. Some of them did not look particularly attractive, although very useful for 
stock purposes ; they, however, are now very rarely seen, and I do not know of one Carrier at the 
present time I should call ‘well-jewed.’ 
“I consider the ‘beak-wattle’ takes precedence in importance to the ‘eye-wattle/ in 
consequence of the greater difficulty in obtaining it in perfection, and the length of time which 
elapses before it is fully developed ; whilst I have seen birds with the eye-wattles grown to 
excess at fifteen months of age, which have become utterly useless before the wattle on the beak 
had time to mature ; hence my reason for thinking that which is most difficult to obtain should 
be the most important. 
“The eye-wattle I regard as an adjunct to the beak-wattle ; and although a bird with a mean 
or small eye (however good the beak-wattle may be) is not generally regarded with much favour, 
still I consider this property ranks secondary to the other for the reasons stated in my remarks on 
the beak-wattle. The flesh of the eye-wattle should be perfectly round, and in diameter nearly the 
size of a florin, and evenly laced, somewhat like a dahlia ; without spouts, and rolling well over the 
head, thus greatly conducing to the narrowness of the skull so much admired. The eyes of 
the birds of late years appear more fleshy than formerly, and consequently more liable to ‘spouts 
and we now seldom have an exhibition without signs of the treatment of skilful operators being 
apparent in the eyes of the majority of the birds. I have a great fancy for those having what are 
8 
