/ h’Acooxs Compared with Carriers. 
215 
again different to the Carrier, which is wanted to show as much thigh as possible. The birds some 
people call the “true type” will often show even more length of thigh than a Carrier; and we wiU 
go so far as to say we would not make a leading point of this, and condemn an otherwise good 
bird for a long thigh ; but still it should be short, in order to keep up the distinction. 
Of the plumage, so close and hard, we need say nothing beyond Mr. Graham’s description, 
except that to look its best a bird must be both healthy, clean, and in good condition. 
The bars of a Blue Dragoon we prefer narrow, as looking more stylish. When broad they 
appear more as if running into each other, are more irregular at the edges and in shape, and not 
so neat altogether. Still we would never discard a good bird for the width or shape of the bars, 
provided they were black ; often, however, we see signs of a brown shade, showing a cross with the 
Silvers, which those who desire really good Blues should keep from using as much as possible. 
In order to meet still further the statements of those who say that the type of Dragoon we 
have now laid down cannot be distinguished from the Carrier, and to help the young fancier to 
keep distinctly in his mind the proper and distinguishing points of both breeds, we will put them 
in brief, in parallel columns. It will be seen that they only agree in at most three points — 
projecting wings, hollow shoulders, and carriage, and in neither of these do the “ Birmingham ” 
fanciers at all differ, they being in fact not points peculiar to any pigeon, but belonging to general 
symmetry alone. 
CARRIER. 
Face as long as possible, not less than one inch and seven- 
eighths from centre of the eye. 
Beak-wattle — I. On both mandibles. 2. Four and a quarter 
inches round, and as much more as possible. 3. Tilted, 
and largest at centre parts. 
Beak — White or flesh-colour. Long in front of wattle. 
Eye-wattle — Very large, not less than one inch and one-eighth 
in diameter, even or circular, and soft-looking. 
Skull — Narrow, and same width from front to back. 
Gullet —Small, and clean cut. 
Neck — Long as possible. As nearly same thickness as possible 
from throat to shoulders. 
Breast full and wide, wing-butts projecting. 
Flights — Nearly as long as tail, and often crossed above it. 
Thighs and legs both as long as possible, the thighs especially. 
Back — Slightly hollow. 
Whole bird— Slender, and as long as possible in feather. 
Carriage — Upright and stretching. 
DRAGOON. 
Face not excte ling one inch and five-eighths, unless a very 
large bird. 
Beak-wattle — I. On upper mandible only. 2. Not exceeding 
two inches and a half round. 3. Not tilted, but a true, 
straight peg-shape, largest at extreme back. 
Beak — Black. Short in front of wattle. 
Eye-wattle — Small, wrinkled, pinched behind, and hard- 
looking. 
Skull — Broad ; very broad behind, and tapering to the front. 
Gullet — Opinion varies, but at least rather full. 
Neck — Moderate length, and tapering or widening gradually 
from throat to shoulders. 
Breast — Similiar to the Carrier. 
Flights — One inch and a half shorter than tail, and never 
crossed. 
Thighs short. Length of leg good, say one inch and a half. 
Back — Similiar to Carrier. 
Whole bird — Compact, and rather short in feather. 
Carriage — Upright and tall. 
On the other hand, taking the so-called “Birmingham” model, we think it will appear that in 
every single point, except that of size (easily bred either way, and we simply prefer the larger 
bird as the stronger one, and for no other reason), and rather less beak-wattle (which being 
infinitely easier to breed of the proper shape, makes the bird so far more opposite to our idea of 
a “high-class pigeon”), it approaches nearer the Carrier than the standard we have laid down. 
The long, thin beak ; the narrow skull, of same width from front to back ; the eye-wattle, larger, 
thinner, circular, and fleshy ; the pale beak, which, though we must admit not recommended by 
Mr. Ludlow, we have far more often seen than dark beaks upon “ Birmingham ” Dragoons ; 
the long, thin neck ; the long, slender shape of body ; the long thighs ; all these are points 
in which the so-called •“ pure ” Dragoon type resembles the Carrier and not the Dragoon. 
