2oS 
The Illustrated Book of Pigeons. 
“ Grizzles are the produce of a systematic crossing of Blues and Whites, in which the perfect 
admixture or combination of the feathering of each is clearly apparent. They are a sort of 
pepper-and-salt grizzly colour ; the head and upper part of neck more especially being grey or 
‘ powdered the flights and tail being dark externally ; the quills and under-feathering white ; the 
chief shafts of quills being streaked with dark colour ; the beak and nails are generally dark, if 
streaked such is perfectly admissible. The chief desideratum is to obtain the perfect amalgamation 
of colour throughout, and thus produce a complete grey or grizzled aspect throughout its entire 
body. Some fanciers prefer those with the darker head and neck, but I rather incline to those 
with a more profuse sprinkling of white upon the head and neck. This kind is gaining popularity. 
They are, by reason of numerous crosses, of a strong and hardy constitution ; indeed, I have 
known a first-class show bird of this sort that was the winner of a ioo miles fly against all 
competitors. This kind at present do not breed many true to type, a variety of oddly-marked 
birds frequently appearing, amongst which are a good number of white-winged Blues having a 
distinct Pouter-like crescent of white upon the crop, also a number of almost white birds with 
dark beaks, flights, and tails. The sort, however, are steadily improving since being raised to the 
dignity of show stock. The eye of these birds is a deep brilliant orange-red, 
“ Chequers , as their name signifies, are a dappled combination of black and blue upon the back 
and sides. This chequering or dappling must be regular, clear, and distinct, a sort of radiation of 
markings from the bars up to the top of shoulder, finishing off at its juncture with the hackle. 
Upon the breast, too, are faint traces of similar markings, but to a much less degree. Down the 
back even to the rump should have the chequering well defined, though the majority at present 
are minus this finishing touch. Head, neck, tail, thighs, and flights are as ordinary blue pigeons. 
Beak and nails black. Eye orange-red. This kind may be either kept to itself or crossed with 
Blues ; other crosses should only be resorted to under special circumstances, which within limited 
space cannot be defined. They may be produced of a lighter shade by crossing with Silvers, or 
deepened in tone by the occasional introduction of Blacks, so as to meet exceptional cases. Care 
should always be observed in this sub-variety, as in all Dragoons, to match, for breeding purposes, 
birds with perfect properties at least between them, if perfect individual specimens cannot be 
obtained ; but to rigidly avoid mating two birds, both of which may be deficient of any one or 
more of the essential points, but to put together either birds of a reliable good pedigree, or if an 
unknown but good-looking one is at hand, to take care that he possesses desirable points to a 
marked degree, the image of which you would like to stamp in your stock. 
“ White, as a matter of course, should be pure and spotless ; eyes, dark hazel ; beak and nails, 
flesh-coloured. Very frequently may be seen 'good-looking birds of fine style and shape, but with a 
very, very faint trace of colour in the neck. Such birds cannot be regarded as any other than 
Whites, still not even the faintest shadow of colour should be traceable in proper Whites, and 
those possessing any colour have some time or other most assuredly been tainted by the cross of a 
coloured specimen. The neck is bright and silvery, but it is, if possible, of a more pure and 
attractive brilliant whiteness than the other parts. 
“ Blacks should be deep and glossy throughout, and free from the too common blue black, upon 
which faint bars are frequently discernible ; eyes, deep fiery red, beak and nails black. In 
other respects these (like all the sub-varieties) should possess the same properties of formation 
herein described, and to be identically of the same general configuration, colour only being 
the distinguishing mark. 
Very little, if anything, need be said as to the housing and accommodation of these birds, as 
these points, in former chapters, have been well considered and provided for; but I would just say 
