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CHAPTER XXI. 
DAMASCENES AND CAPUCHINS. 
THESE birds are evidently to some extent allied to those mentioned in the preceding chapter, 
having the short and owl-like head, but not the feathered legs, or the same variegation of plumage. 
There is little to be said of them, being little known in this country ; but they breed true, and 
present little difficulty in keeping up their characteristics. For the following remarks we are again 
indebted to Mr. Caridia : — 
THE DAMASCENE. 
“ This variety, whether rightly named or not, was, as I am well informed, forty years ago so 
plentiful in the East, that in Smyrna they were frequently roasted in the Oriental style; yet 
in my early fancy days, there was not one single specimen left, or even a trace of the breed ; 
but fanciers succeeded in procuring some of the same old style of birds. They not only soon 
multiplied them, but they have done so, in their way of admiration, by breeding them grouse- 
muffed, but as these birds are not equal in beauty to their tri-coloured favourites, only few fanciers 
keep them, and in consequence they are not numerous. 
“ The Damascene should present a bold and vigorous carriage, with the form of head and beak 
as in the English Owl, but a little larger in size, and without frill. Two principal points, peculiar 
to these birds, makes them very attractive, viz., the large blue eyelids or cere, which surrounds the 
eye, being of a damson colour, and the colour of their feathers, which is of a really clear silver or 
French white tint, on which the intensity of their black bars is a conspicuous feature. The tail also 
possesses the black band, but the flight and tail feathers are of a dark shade deepening at the 
outer extremity. 
“ Though the plumage of these birds is so clear on the surface, the under fluffy part of each 
feather, and especially those of the neck, are of a dark colour. The beak and nails are black, the 
eye pale orange. 
“ Damascenes being of the active, flying kind, and of a very determined nature, thrive best 
at liberty, and once let out safely, there is no fear of them being led astray ; but if kept in confine- 
ment their treatment should be as in the last chapter. 
“ This variety, in my opinion, is one of the most useful for experimental purposes. 
. THE CAPUCHIN. 
“The first imported pair of these birds I had consigned, with others, during my visit abroad, 
to my friend Mr. Ludlow, and he has named them as above, I suppose because they really 
possess an extensive shell crest. This variety, with which I was familiar from my early fancy 
days, is peculiar to one locality in Asia Minor, from whence we used to procure them prin- 
cipally for decoration to the flying ‘ kit,’ because being of a raven black with white tail, they 
presented a good contrast. In size they are about as the Jacobins, to which some fanciers may 
consider them allied, though I must say that this breed of birds are now in every respect what I 
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