Exhibiting Short-faced Tumblers. 
179 
scissors to the same length, and then carefully pared into a fine-pointed beak. We prefer scissors 
for this operation, but some use a file. So long as no more than overgrown horn is trimmed off, 
this operation causes no more pain than trimming the nails, and is absolutely requisite in a great 
many birds to keep both mandibles level, without which they cannot preen themselves, and soon 
become infested with vermin. But beyond this actual necessity, such trimming of the beak has 
always been held allowable since Almond Tumblers were known, and it is necessary to state this 
clearly, lest it be confounded with operations which are not so legitimate. Eaton mentions it 
expressly as the “ privilege ” of an amateur ; and to make birds appear as usually shown, it is 
necessary, except in very rare cases indeed. We have known a very few which never needed 
touching. But it is understood, and expected, that no more than dead horn be cut away, without 
touching the “ quick;” and no words are too strong for such trimming as we have seen with our 
own eyes in some cases, where a poor bird, with an unusually coarse beak, has been cut down so 
much that blood has dropped from the point of the beak whilst in the pen ! We say we have seen 
this, or few would believe it. Such barbarity is fortunately visible to its own disgrace, and makes 
the beak appear so artificial as to increase the coarse appearance it is meant to improve; but 
moderate trimming, carefully done, improves the appearance of a bird greatly. Those who first 
attempt it before being thoroughly used to the handling of pigeons, should tie the bird’s legs with 
a strip of soft cloth, which will make it keep much more quiet and steady. This trimming of the 
beak applies to all the Short-faced varieties. After the beak is finished, the wattle must be washed, 
soap or oil being used to soften the dirt that often is to be found hardened upon it, and then 
carefully cleaned with a small piece of wet sponge. 
Then comes the plumage. To this very little can be honestly done ; and, in spite of the trash 
that has been written by some who know little about it, very little indeed can be successfully done, 
if the judge at all knows his business. When an Almond is too mealy in colour, it is possible to 
put a little of the finest oil upon a soft silk handkerchief, and by passing this lightly over the bird 
to deepen the colour. But in nine cases out of ten this oiling process is overdone, and if it be not 
uniform all over the bird, or if too much is put on — and it is by no means easy to use little enough 
— detection is sure. It should always be done a day or two before a bird is shown. Stray foul 
feathers are generally pulled out, and this is even sometimes done with faulty flights or tail feathers ; 
but these latter can always be detected, if the judge counts them, and then entail disqualification. 
But when the body-feather is not quite right — say, one shoulder perhaps well spangled, and the 
other too much so — though the practice can scarcely be defended, most people pull out enough to 
make the bird “ look even.” If feathers could only be added with equal ease, we should soon see 
perfectly-spangled Almonds. 
Another important point in showing Short-faces, if the class is for pairs, is to mate the birds 
for some days previously, and then to separate them one clear day before the show. Then when 
they come together in the strange pen they strut and show themselves off to the best of what 
carriage they have, and this point is so important in these varieties, that many a prize has been 
won or lost by bad or good management in this respect alone. 
The principal beauty of the Mottles being in marking, these birds have almost always, as we 
have already hinted, to undergo great “ alterations” before being exhibited. Most birds are too 
“gay” somewhere or other; and the way to succeed in the necessary “weeding” is, not to 
proceed rashly, but to remove a feather or two at once, carefully examining the effect each time, 
till the bird is got as nearly as possible what is desired. If the body-colour of a Black Mottle is 
not good enough, it often gets a touch-up with the oil, as already described ; but very great care is 
needed to avoid greasing the white, and even on the black plumage a very little too much betrays 
