Af.-1TCHI.VG OF A.VTIVERPS. 
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Abundance ; whilst good-coloured, clean-cut, well-marked cock birds with properties of form in 
combination are decidedly at a premium. It is mischievous, then, to mate the show pairs together 
for breeding purposes ; for whilst it is proverbial that a well-matched pair often breed inferior 
coloured offspring, an ill-assorted, yet judiciously mated pair, will often breed the best of colours. 
It does not by any means follow that the best will breed better, or even issue equal to themselves, 
for the contrary is the fact ; and this applies equally, or perhaps with greater force, to form pro- 
perties, for the Antwerp is a manufactured breed, as it were, to obtain which we must from time to 
time have recourse to the rough plemcnt (the longer-faced, big-headed birds), and actually use 
birds of inferior general aspept, but whicji possess some good qualities desirable to embody in 
the more perfect strain ; apd strange as it may appear, it is absolutely necessary to cross with 
a ccmmoner-looking apd poarser .‘pecimcn, in order to work opt further improvement or to main- 
tain the good properties which may have been already obtained. Sopie thoughtless ones may 
consider it wisdoni tp try to keep up the points of merit of thp one stock without the introduction 
of new blood, but tjiere is in pipst breeds a tendency to degenerate, and in the Antwerp pigeon 
especially is this notipeable ; his poipts of excellence canpot long be preserved without occasional 
crosses ; it is the fancier’s o>vn faylt if he make not selection of a suitable cross. In this breed one 
cannot work at a gpod stppk very long without observipg jts gradual bpt certain destruction ; for 
as they haye been ‘ madp pp,’ so tp a great extent they must stjH be made up. The only difference 
is, that now we have around us abundance of half-made, viz., imperfect Antwerp stock, any of 
which, by jpdicipus mating and crossing in good hands, may be raised to the present well-known 
standard, \vhich was merely ideal but few years ago. 
“ In making selection qf stock for breeding purposes, always give preference to big fine 
hell birds, for with little heps success cannot be reckoned upon. A big, good-shaped, dark-necked 
hen, even though rather long in beak (provided it is well warted), may be put to pretty coloured, 
Short-faced cocks, with good results ; some excellent birds will be the issue. The male issue are 
more likely to be the better birds; but in every case loqk fo,r good head properties in both birds if 
they are matured specimens. A perfect specimen rpust be good at all points, form, and colour in 
combination ; but in the Antwerp breeder’s pen ‘ form ’ is the first and primary consideration : colour 
is more easily and more speedily obtained. Botl^ are pecessary to each other, but are achieved by 
different means. Much care should be taken in keeping a record of the pedigree of every bird that 
-forms one’s stock, so as to know what may be expected frorq every cross. As a rule, Silver Duns 
-s'hould be mated to Silver Duns, dark with light, hut may occasionally be crossed with Red 
Chequers to the advantage of each sort ; but if crossed with either Blues or Blue Chequers, a 
bluish tinge pervades the entire feathering of the progeny, more especially observable upon the tail, 
'which will show an indication of the dark band, instead of the clear, desirable colour. Blues may be 
crossed with Blue Chequers, if for the improvement of some desirable point of formation, but not of 
necessity for improving colour, for there is nothing can be gained at that point by either. Red 
Chequers may be crossed with Blue Chequers, the former gaining by a casual cross, the latter 
deriving the greatest advantage thereby, by reason of the overwhelming power of the Black and 
Blue influence of which its feathering is composed. In short, all the varieties are necessary to each 
other, but in order to obtain the best of colours, and maintain them, great care must be exercised. 
It is almost impossible for one to attempt to fix or determine a safe line of procedure in the 
absence of a reliable pedigree of those birds upon which we are about to commence operations. But, 
'assuming that we have to dealwith a mixed medley of fair-looking birds, I would always advise that 
they should be so mated as to obtain between them the desired points, i.c., wherein the one 
was imperfect, the other should be of good or extra development at that point, and this pursued 
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