CHAPTER XIV. 
THE BARB. 
There can be very little doubt that this pigeon did, as the name implies, come to us originally 
from the north of Africa, and was first known as the Barbary pigeon, under which name it is once 
or twice mentioned by Shakespeare. It has been generally spoken of, written of, and considered as 
one of the high-class “ Toy ” varieties of pigeons ; but we could never understand this, and shall in this 
work at least give it what we consider its due place as one of the “ high-class ” birds, thus raising 
these to four varieties, viz., the Carrier, Pouter, Tumbler, and Barb. Our reasons for this scarcely 
need stating, but we may say briefly that in the first place the Barb has very nearly as many pro- 
perties, and is as difficult to produce as the Carrier : and that, like this bird, it takes a long time to 
come to maturity ; so that after being shown as a young bird, it is several years before it is deve- 
loped enough to be shown again. The age of maturity may be stated as three years ; and, though 
there are exceptions, any possessor of a Barb that can compete with mature birds before that age 
may be proud of his specimen. Owing to this cause, and the pigeon not being generally classed 
quite so high, it is perhaps not wonderful that there are comparatively few fanciers of this variety ; 
and we have almost always noticed that such as there are — especially what we may call the 
“ breeding ” fanciers — have been breeders of many years’ standing. The rest get tired and go off 
to some other variety, and hence we always look upon a Barb fancier as a true lover of the 
pigeon he keeps, since he cannot even be a good judge of the right class of young bird which 
will grow into a fine old one, until several years’ experience, there being so many different styles 
of bird. 
Here we may be found fault with by some, who contend that there can be but one correct 
style of bird ; but to this we cannot agree in the present case. Some prefer the smallest and most 
diminutive bird they can get ; others a medium size ; and others, again, a fine large bird, con- 
demning the others. Now, we cannot consent to class size as a property at all in this pigeon, as all 
three sizes may show in due proportion the proper points of head ; and as nearly all the points of a 
Barb lie in the head, we shall always consider as a good model any bird which shows a fine head 
and skull in just proportion to its size. This we consider the essential point ; as, for example, an 
extra large bird having only a comparatively small eye and beak-wattle, though well formed, if 
shown against a small specimen all that could possibly be desired would, if both heads were placed 
together, far surpass it in measurement, showing more width of skull and greater diameter of eye- 
wattle. Still, though some judges might thoughtlessly give it the preference on that account, it 
would be in point of excellence not to be compared with the smaller one. Hence size and propor- 
tion is always carefully to be considered, and if this be done we would admit any size in reason. 
We have heard many say the bird “ cannot be too small,” but we have generally found these 
decided opinions came from fanciers who thereby upheld a class of birds then in their possession ; 
and in too many cases we have found their ideal changed to a startling degree after a sale. 
Owing to the comparatively few who have bred and kept Barbs, however, it does happen that 
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