Genera l Char a c ter is tics. 
345 
Here is an extract of a schedule which for liberality is about an average: — ‘Any Variety: 1st, 
£i ; 2nd, ios. ; 3rd, 5s.’ We see the gigantic sum of £1 15s. is left at the dispensation of the 
exhausted judge, who, worn and weary, finds himself in front of the miscellaneous collection of 
‘ Varieties ’ in perfect bewilderment, just at the very time too when the utmost care and thought, 
and the full exercise of refined taste is most essential. I could say a great deal upon this head, but 
I refrain from further comment than such as seems absolutely necessary for the benefit of the fancy, 
and in support and recognition of all the gems of ‘Any Variety,’ without which it would be 
difficult to trace out the source from which any progressive movement in pigeons would be 
practicable or possible. 
“Under the broad title of ‘German Toys’ there are from seventeen to twenty recognised 
varieties which are now permanently fixed as true and distinct breeds, and which may be relied 
upon for the produce of young in accurate resemblance to themselves ; and to most of these 
seventeen kinds there are sub-varieties, the differences of which, for the most part, consist of colour 
properties, ‘ crested ’ or plain heads, and feathered or ‘ clear legs ; ’ so that by these additions the 
family group becomes multiplied to about fifty-two sorts, as we shall see further on. At present 
I will simply enumerate the seventeen varieties, which are as follows : — 
1. Hyacinth. 
2. Victoria. 
3. Suabian. 
4. Porcelain. 
5. Starling. 
6. Fire. 
7. Ice. 
8. Priest. 
9. Brunswick. 
10. Letz. 
11. Shield. 
12. Crescent. 
13. Swallow. 
14. Spot. 
15. Fairies. 
16. Helmet. 
17. Frillback. 
“ All these pigeons are what are generally known as ‘ German Toys,’ from the fact of their 
being bred, perfected, and highly esteemed in Germany, and transported to Great Britain, France, 
and other places from time to time in large numbers and at frequent intervals during the last 
seventeen years, some of them at an earlier period. As to the derivation or appropriateness of 
their names I shall not attempt to argue ; some of their titles bear upon the surface a clear 
evidence of origin, whereas others are known to be inappropriate. I propose to deal with them 
simply as we find them. Therefore I intend to dispense with the various foreign titles, which 
would rather tend to complicate than make clear the knowledge of each kind, which I think 
may be better achieved by the simple acknowledgment of the single title, which, together with the 
illustrations as the main guide, should be fully explanatory to fanciers of any nationality. 
“ All the birds herein enumerated are about of an equal size and general formation, excepting 
only Hyacinths, Victorias, Helmets, and Spots, which, as we will show further on, somewhat differ. 
Omitting, then, these four from present consideration, I will describe the general configuration of 
the others. They are about the size of our ordinary dove-house pigeon, and in many points 
greatly resemble such. The forehead is high, the beak long and of the dove-shape or spindle 
character — long, thin, horny, and hard. The nostrils are small and devoid of warting. The eye, 
too, whether dark or coloured, is comparatively free of any fleshy cere, the single ring of eyelash 
only being observable. The head in all cases, although not rounded, still is of a nice curve, 
no matter whether ‘ crested ’ or ‘plain;’ the neck invariably is short and acutely tapering ; the 
shoulders and back broad ; the entire form of medium length ; the body plump ; the legs short ; the 
posture invariably is of a stooping, crouching forward, or horizontal bearing, and this point is a 
peculiar and marked feature in the majority, with one or two exceptions. The temperament is 
(for domesticated pigeons) extremely wild and nervous ; they eschew interference of any kind, and 
if disturbed within confined limits will bang about hither and thither in the wildest confusion ; 
44 
