132 The Illustrated Book of Pigeons. 
JUDGING POUTERS. — Our ideas as to the proper judging of Pouters have already been 
pretty fully expressed, so as to leave little need for more than the scale of points which we have 
drawn up, after the experience of many years. Before giving this, however, it may be well to give* 
with the aid of a diagram, a more detailed analysis of the various points, which will be more 
clearly seen when thus illustrated. 
In the annexed diagram, then, H, the head, should be small in proportion to the body. The 
line A D, from the eye to the centre of the feet, shows that when posed in its best position, one is 
perpendicularly over the other. C shows how the crop, when inflated, should slightly rise from the 
front of the beak, c' the best fulness of globe to look well, and c" the chief point of all in crop 
properties, viz., the sudden angle or dent between the crop and the body. No matter how large or 
well-filled the crop may be, it will not look well without this point is good ; and nothing also so 
much sets off any merit the bird may have as regards smallness of girth, c'" shows the slight 
fulness caused by the crop behind the neck ; B B and H M show the proportionate sizes of the bib 
and half-moon, which are most preferred. 
The space from the angle of the crop at c" to the insertion of the thigh at T should be as long 
and straight as possible. This, with a good angle at c", as already stated, sets off the slimness of 
the pigeon, and is what many specimens are deficient in. In most birds the crop comes so low 
down towards the thighs, that these latter almost appear to spring from the crop itself, when, no 
matter how long the limb may be, it can never look well. But with a sharp curve at c", the longer 
the waist is from c" to T, the more slender and upright will the bird appear in the pen. The girth, 
G g', should be as small as possible; and closely connected with excellence in this particular is the 
hollow curve in the back, B E. Birds not showing this are apt to appear hog-backed, which quite 
spoils the look at a side view, beside increasing the girth materially. P shows the marking on the 
pinion to be as nearly as possible of a rose or circular character. The depth or breadth of flight, 
T E, should be as little as possible. Some birds when old become loose in the wing or shoulder, 
which not only makes the shoulder appear deep, but by hanging down over the thighs, apparently 
shortens the length of limb. In this point young birds which keep their flights tightly clipped up 
are almost always better than old ones ; and the oftener and longer Pouters are allowed to feed 
young ones the worse are they apt to get in this particular, and the longer will the line T E become. 
The length of thigh, T t", should of course be as great as possible ; but the most difficult point of 
all is a good length from T" to L, which may be called the leg. The longer this joint is the more 
slender will the bird look, and the more upright will it stand. At L is represented the style of 
foot-feather which is so admired. At L F is shown the proper length and shape of the flights, and 
at L T of the tail, in a properly-proportioned bird ; too great length here, as we have so often 
remarked, can only tip the bird forward and prevent its standing upright unless upon a block. 
Of course no Pouter ever remains long in the position here portrayed. He is always 
changing, and only for a brief moment can any given attitude be seen. But this applying to all 
attitudes alike, we have chosen for our diagram that which best shows, in our judgment, the most 
typical qualities of the bird. If a good one, he is graceful in all. 
And with this diagram before us, we will once more repeat what we have so often implied or 
stated— and what, in our opinion, is the very essence of all good judging of this pigeon— that the 
best Pouter is not the bird with the largest crop or smallest girth, or even greatest length of limb, 
much less of the best marking ; but the one which best presents such a combination, in fair 
proportion of all good points, as to produce, in an accomplished fancier, an impression of general 
harmony and unity in the whole. Even an artist, who had never seen the pigeon, will see much 
beauty and grace in the well-balanced and harmonious curves here represented ; and it is the 
