3 12 
The Illustrated Book of Pigeons. 
direct or immediate descendants of the Satinettes are Brunettes, Bluettes, and Silverettes, which 
are, no doubt, parts of the composition of the breed, and therefore must be considered conjointly 
with them, and as embodying the coloured-shouldered, white-bodied kinds, all of which have 
coloured tails. I mention this point here, lest the Turbiteens, of which I shall hereafter speak, 
might be supposed to be included, when such in reality is not the case ; for in the production of 
these variegated sorts, it is the never-varying rule to avoid crossing a dark with a white-tailed bird, 
with coloured shoulders. 
THE SATINETTE. 
“ All the venerable fanciers of this variety, and especially the Mohammedans, believe that this 
bird descends and was perfected from a semi-wild native pigeon of Asia, which possesses a pencilled 
plumage, grouse-muffed legs, and short beak. Now, as I have no basis for contradiction, I must 
accept their belief, because it is not of much moment how this specimen was produced. We got it, 
and we have proved it to be of unbounded value. 
“As the illustration admirably shows, the Satinette is of white body, with tri-coloured 
shoulders, the ground tint of which is pink-brown, graduating to a much lighter shade, then 
blending into white. On this the markings or pencillings of purple-black are formed, varying in 
shade according to the size of the feathers, being darkest at the upper part or butts of the wings. 
Some specimens show also markings of a blue mixture, but the less of this colour is seen the 
better. 
“ They should possess not less than seven and no more than ten white flights, as within that 
number no imperfection is perceivable ; but the Oriental standard for pigeons generally, whether 
of white or coloured flights, is seven. The tail is of a dark purple-blue colour, and at the end of 
each feather there is a large white spot, which in the extra-pencilled specimens assumes the form 
of a band, and in either case the dark-coloured shaft of the feather runs through the white band 
also, creating a remarkable contrast. This white spot is one of the most valuable properties in 
these birds, as before their introduction there was no variety of pigeon known to possess this 
ornament. 
“ Originally these birds were plain-headed, but when they became plentiful the change of 
fashion produced them crested. In my opinion, when the bird is perfect in all points, it is imma- 
terial whether it is crested or plain-headed, and as there are both in all the colours, fanciers can 
have their choice, but making it a rule that the crested birds possess a nccdlc-pointcd crest, perfectly 
central and compact, and not of the loose kind which some of the British ‘ maned’ Turbits possess. 
In my opinion no ‘ maned’ bird can possess a close-fitting, well-pointed crest; and though these 
birds possess no mane, whether crested or plain-headed, they well display the desired property of 
the arched neck without that irregularity so detrimental to other points. 
“ The frill is well developed, as it is certain to be, when you know that those venerable fanciers, 
as well as their predecessors, who originally manufactured the frilled varieties of the pigeons known, 
never adopted fanciful names for certain properties, such as ‘ rose’ for a deficient frill. No, they 
contend, and I fully indorse it, that all frilled pigeons must have as much frill as possible , and that 
no frilled pigeon can have too much ; and this being the case, it is indifferent which form the 
feathers take, provided they project well, mingle roughly, leave no bare space between, and extend 
very far up and low down to the full breast. 
“ The eye is of a dark brown colour, as in the Turbits or white Owls, encircled by an eyelid 
of a buff fleshy tint ; occasionally there are some which display a red eye, as in the coloured Owls, 
but this arises from the crossing with a certain local breed of Black Turbits with black tails, and 
marked on the head like a Nun. The object of this cross was to obtain the Satinette with similar 
