Judging Jacobins. 
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in saying “ a few ” we mean it, for although — as already explained — many and many a bird has 
been extensively trimmed all round the back of the head, any judge, with his senses about him, 
by simply drawing the head and neck through his thumb and finger as described, would — or at 
least ought to — instantly detect it, and is to blame if he does not. Similarly, a feather or two 
which may grow unkindly will sometimes greatly interfere, not so much with the whole develop- 
ment as with the smoothness of the chain ; but here, too, only a little, and that on a really good 
bird, can be done. Some have said it is possible by a judicious use of hot iron after damping the 
feather, to “iron down” a bad hood, &c. It is often found that a really good hood, mane, or 
chain will have some little awkward place that will stand up ragged, and in such cases we can 
well believe a little ironing might bring it into place ; but we are sure no hood not already really 
good can thus be made so. In fact, we may say once for all, that no one who intelligently 
understands what is wanted to make a good Jacobin as described by us, will ever be deceived 
by such artifices, or think of employing them beyond smoothing over or hiding such small 
blemishes as it must be held venial, if not innocent, thus to remove. 
JUDGING JACOBINS. — Our general notions as to the judging of this pigeon will have been 
already gathered, and it is only needful to add the scale of points : — 
Beak : shortness, 1 ; thickness, 1 ........... 2 
Down-face ............... 1 
Head-size, 1 ; roundness, 2 ............ 3 
Hood : size or length, 2 ; shape and close-fitting (w ithout trimming), 4 . . . .6 
Mane : shape and depth ......... ... 5 
Chain : closeness, length, and regularity .......... 5 
Rose : size, clearness, and regularity .......... 2 
Head-marking: high-cut ............ 3 
Correct number and evenness of flights .......... 4 
Dark thighs and vent ............. 2 
Colour of body .............. 4 
Colour of eye ............... 2 
Length of flights and tail. ............ 1 
Size (smallness) .............. 2 
Carriage: upright and strutting ........... 2 
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