Eye and Beak-Wattle. 
63 
almost like a small pimple, C" being about double the size, and c'" about double the size again. 
When the beak is close, both upper and lower wattles should appear as if united. We may here 
remark that c'", although it appear as being attached to the lower mandible, is not so, but is a 
part of the upper beak-wattle which hangs down over the lower mandible, and will be seen to be so 
when the beak is opened. Many birds even at mature age do not have sufficient upper beak- 
wattle to show the appearance of the three portions of lower beak-wattle, c', c", c'", but only show 
the two portions C' and c". Those showing the three portions are generally heavy-wattled birds, 
and those with two portions large fleshy-eyed birds, which never show enough of beak-wattle in 
comparison to the amount of eye-wattle. The lower is less full than the upper, and seldom so 
wrinkled ; but it is a curious fact that if the upper wattle be well shaped the lower will be so too. 
The whole, when properly shaped, bears a considerable resemblance, with the beak, to a boy’s 
peg-top, whence many fanciers call it a “peg-wattle but as this very word was used by Moore 
and others to denote a Dragoon-like shape, pointed in front and peaking up behind, we prefer to 
call it a “peg-top” wattle. The circumference in a really first-class bird, when in his prime at 
three or four years old, should be four inches, and even three and a half inches is good, providing 
the wattle be well formed. Four inches is extra good in measurement, though we once saw at 
Birmingham three cocks together, of which one measured four and a quarter, and the others 
just over four. The most extraordinary birds in this point we have ever seen were one bred 
by Mr. George Ure, of Dundee, which measured fully four inches and three-eighths, and another 
we once measured in the possession of Mr. Wiltshire, which reached the same. But only one of 
all these could be considered as nearly approaching perfection in proportions and shape, which are 
of more value than even size of wattle. 
Besides the “peg-top” wattle, there is another recognised type known as the “walnut-shaped” 
wattle. In this, instead of the three distinct portions, there is one roundish mass only ; and if 
this is symmetrically shaped, nicely arched at the back away from the skull, and well filled up all 
round, especially in the front part, with a good cauliflower Surface, it is as much valued as the 
shape before described ; but is, alas, equally rare and difficult to produce. This kind of wattle will 
be seen represented in our plate of the Dun Carrier; while the Black and Blue show “peg-top” 
wattles. We may remark here that all our plates are given as ideals, not as portraits. We have 
chosen this plan on account of the almost impossibility of finding perfect pigeons ; at the same 
time, while such combination of perfect features is rarely or never seen, every single point may be 
and has repeatedly been attained as we represent it : it is the combination of them all causes the 
difficulty. Hence we prefer to give types, rather than portraits which must be faulty in many points. 
The cock is always selected as presenting the points in greatest development ; the hen should be 
of the same model as nearly as can be obtained, except where otherwise expressly mentioned. 
A Carrier never reaches perfection in its beak-wattle till the age of at least three years, and 
sometimes it will go on improving up to six or seven. This is more often the case with late-bred 
or weakly-reared birds ; and it is a singular fact that the best of these will often produce young 
ones that show hardly any signs at all of the high-class parentage from which they were derived. 
Such birds a well-known fancier, Mr. E. L. Corker, used to call “ birds with the breed inside',' and 
they will not unfrequently produce again young of surpassing quality — that is, if they have “ the 
breed” inside, on which all of course depends. 
The next point is the eye-wattle, the chief property of which is regularity of build. It 
should be of a pale flesh-colour, covered when in health by a white bloom. It should be thin in 
substance, though there are many thick and fleshy-eyed specimens to be seen. The diameter in a 
good cock should be an inch and an eighth; and it should be circular, and equidistant at all points 
