General Remarks on Toys. 
355 
perhaps but little more need be added. In points of formation they are not prepossessing; they 
are not of that symmetrical configuration, graceful contour , or vivacious habits which in some 
breeds momentarily catches the eye and rivets the attention. No ; in the main the whole family, 
in points of form, greatly resemble each other ; but what a diversity of splendour in the feathery 
garments of the entire collection ! What a fertile source of beauty ! How much with them has 
been done ! How much more may be achieved ! Hitherto they have, as it were, been worked up 
out of themselves, and yet remain strong and hardy withal. Who, then, can calculate what 
additional varieties may be wrought out by well-conceived crosses with other and alien strains ? I 
believe great things may be realised. I know much can be accomplished, for we have the proof. 
For breeding purposes, it must be admitted, captivity is not well suited to them, for being of a 
wildish temperament, they thrive best at large, and can cater well for their own living if so 
permitted. Cannot we, then, meet their wants in this respect, and thus utilise their breeding 
qualities to the full , which, owing to their extreme shyness, are comparatively cramped and 
thwarted when liable to the frequent disturbances to which closely - confined pigeons are 
subjected.” 
By a comparison of Mr. Ludlow’s descriptions with the illustrations, it will be seen that the 
German Toys are nearly all the result o'f careful crossing, and subsequent selection, upon a few 
foundation sorts. It seems to us very evident that the beautiful Fire Pigeon owes its peculiar 
colour and lustre to the Archangel ; a whole class of birds, such as Letz, Priests, Brunswicks, 
&c., is evidently built up on the foundation of the Trumpeter; whilst Swallows, Helmets, and 
others, are evidently closely related to the Nun, the original variety being doubtful. Some of the 
names are not happy ; and it is perfectly certain that the Swallow at least is quite misnamed 
through a simple error in translation, the bird being christened in German from the Tern or Sca- 
Swalloiv, and the prefix being dropped in English. It is, however, a hopeless task to attempt 
to change names now universally received, and we shall not attempt to do so. In other cases 
the names given are significant enough ; and the very two named by Mr. Ludlow as so strange 
seem to us singularly appropriate, the profuse bloom giving an appearance as much like “ ice ” 
or frost to the Ice Pigeons, as the colour and glow impart a “ fiery ” look to the other. 
The most interesting question in relation to the German Toys is perhaps the source of the 
beautiful variegation of feather in the Porcelain and Ice families. Little positive light can be 
thrown upon this now ; but what has been said by Mr. Caridia from actual knowledge regarding 
the very similar feather properties of the Oriental variegated Toys, makes it at least most 
probable that the problem was worked out by the long, patient, and skilful blending of the 
primary colours found in the variegation. The facts stated by him, and others which we could 
give of similar character, respecting the results of breeding them together, make it all but 
certain that neither the Eastern nor the Western family of variegated pigeons was produced 
from the other, but that each had independent origin ; the Orientals working on a short-faced 
stem, and the Germans on a bird of the ordinary dove-house type. It may be surmised that 
both probably used the Chequer as a starting-point ; but the fact is most suggestive and extra- 
ordinary, that widely-separated schools of breeders, working with distinct races of birds, should 
produce such similar results as regards the plumage of their pets. 
We may add that in regard to at least many of the Toy pigeons, our experience has not 
been quite so unfavourable as Mr. Ludlow’s with regard to wildness. There is a great difference 
between varieties in this respect ; and nearly all, if bred at large, will be terribly shy when 
confined in a moderate space. If they can be allowed liberty all the better ; but a tame stock 
