298 
The Illustrated Book of Plgeons. 
and other fraudulent means to deepen the tone. Most of the expedients used will betray their 
presence by “coming off” on a clean white handkerchief, being more of the nature of stains than 
dyes, which latter do not suit the plumage of birds. Crests are very generally trimmed, and 
sometimes so artfully as to deceive many a judge. We do not think a feather or two can be 
detected, and a bird which has lost no more well deserves to pass ; but in other cases, when 
more has been done, if the judge takes the peak in his fingers and presses it aside all four ways — 
up, down, and to each side — if gaps have been made by weeding he will detect it. In any case, as 
before hinted, if the bird seems to have a good peak-crest, but shows no mane, there is great room 
for suspicion, and an extra keen scrutiny may probably be rewarded by discoveries. 
The scale of points we give below. It is impossible to compare the two styles of crest in such 
a scale, since there are judges who have a strong fancy for each, and who, in case of two birds 
being nearly equal, would simply follow their own views. If a Blue and Silver were both good in 
bars, and equally good in other points, we would decidedly contend for giving the Blue the 
preference. If the Silver were brown or yellow in bars, unless the other birds were very poor it 
ought to have no chance at all ; but if necessary on that account to bring it into the competition, 
we would deduct all the points for colour. 
VALUE OF POINTS IN JUDGING TURBITS. 
Beak : shortness, 1 ; thickness, 1 ; fulness of wattle, 1 ; down-face, 1 . . .4 
Skull : size and shape ............. 3 
Gullet : depth, measured from front to peak ......... 3 
Crest 3 
Mane (in peak-crested birds) ........... 2 
Frill : shape and quantity ............ 4 
Colour : shoulders, 3 ; bars in blue and silver, I ........ 4 
Markings (accurate and free from foul leathers) ........ 4 
Size (smallness) .... . . ........ 2 
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