The Illustrated Book of Plgeons. 
352 
black or coloured saddle upon the back, and in that point being just the reverse of the Swallow 
proper. Such birds, however, are very rare, and I only remember to have seen one pair. I 
conclude they are rarely produced, even in their native place. 
SHIELDS. 
“The colours of these are Black, Red, Yellow, Blue, and Silver. They are invariably plain- 
headed birds, in form resembling what we might (for the sake of comparison) term plain-headed 
Swallows. They are white birds, with coloured shoulders precisely as that of Turbits in every 
respect, the bars thereon only being white, all else of the plumage is pure and spotless. The beak 
is white, and the eye is dark hazel. The feet are heavily-clothed, and the hocks are abundantly 
covered with stiff feathers. In the Blues there are often found, in addition to the white bar, a 
narrow edging of black, which by some fanciers is regarded as an additional qualification. Intensity 
of black, richness and purity of colour, and accuracy of ‘Shield’ or Turbit markings are the primary 
features to look to. 
CRESCENT, OR SWISS. 
“ These are of the dove-shape character, high in forehead, plain-headed, spindle beak, short 
neck, flat or squat in pose, plump in body, low on leg, and well furnished with fair quills on those 
members. Their colour is of a creamy-white aspect, with deep, rich brown bars crossing the wing- 
coverts. Upon the breast, too, is a ‘crescent’ or half-moon-shaped marking of a similar rich colour, 
and by reason of its extending upwards on the neck a brilliant, coppery lustre is the result. The 
eye is orange, and the beak dark. I have heard this variety called ‘ mere occasional sports ’ from 
other kinds, and unworthy to be classed as a distinct breed ; but I have had ocular proof of their 
points being permanently fixed, and that several pairs which have come under my notice have 
raised progeny facsimile of themselves, and I have heard of other fanciers whose experience has 
proved the same result. 
LETZ PIGEONS. 
“ These are among the family of Shields, or Turbit-marked German breeds, and only differ 
therefrom in head properties; for whilst the Shield proper is a plain-headed bird, their ‘ Letz ’ 
brethren possess a double head adornment, viz., ‘shell crown’ at the back of head, and ‘rose’ or 
‘tuft’ arising immediately at the rear of nostrils and overhanging them. They are of various 
colours, each of which display a white wing bar. Their legs are extensively feathered, and, as is 
the case with birds of heavy leg-feathering, the hocks, too, are superabundantly furnished, turning 
inwards and downwards until almost trailing the ground. The eye is dark. They are evidently 
an offshoot of the Trumpeter family, selected and worked up to their specially attractive colour 
and markings. 
FIRE TIGEONS. 
“Under this rather inappropriate title is a variety which, in formation and habits, bear exact 
resemblance, singular to say, to the Ice varieties. I do not want to question or quarrel with the 
name, but must say that it is peculiar that the very names indicative of the greatest extremes of 
two elements should have been chosen as applicable to these somewhat similar species of pigeon. 
However, as at first remarked, I shall deal with them as I find them, and as they are now 
partially known. The Fire Pigeon, then, is of a beautiful, rich chestnut brown colour upon sides, 
shoulders, and back ; the flights are black exteriorly and bronzy within ; the head, neck, breast, 
under- feathering, and muffs are black, or very nearly so. Upon the forehead, just above the 
nostrils, is an oval spot of white extending to the high front of head ; the tail, too (from a clear 
line across rump and round to vent), is pure white. The eye is bright orange, and the beak should 
