CHAPTER XXIX. 
THE RUNT. 
THIS pigeon shows very clearly the change in ideas which time alone often causes in the 
pursuits of the fancier and breeder. For Moore clearly divides the Runt into two sub-varieties, 
of which one — the Leghorn Runt — is said to be “ most valuable,” and to be distinguished by the 
curved or swan-like neck, goose-head, and upward direction of the tail, from the Spanish or common 
Runt. On these grounds Mr. Ludlow, as already mentioned, traces to the Leghorn Runt 
the Burmese or Florentine Pigeon ; and this shape and whole character of the Leghorn are so 
characteristic, that we make no apology for copying, so far as an engraving can do so, the coloured 
plate of a Leghorn Runt, by Mr. Wolstenholme, which forms one of the illustrations to Mr. Eaton’s 
curious work. The outline is by no means an unattractive one, and we confess to a regret that the 
pigeon should have so completely been lost sight of ; which seems the more strange, as Eaton 
himself, remarking on the price Moore says he was offered for a cock, avers that birds “far from 
A I ” were sold at five guineas a pair, and even states, “ I knew a pair sold for £25.” They could 
probably be recovered from the Mediterranean, as Mr. Brent speaks of them as still well 
recognised among the “ Italian varieties ; ” and that he was not misled by a mere name is shown 
by his referring directly to the most marked characteristics, of “ necks long and bent” and “tails 
short, and carried slightly elevated.” We have even ourselves had or seen birds, mostly called 
Roman Runts, which had nearly the same characteristics, and are evidently descended from the 
same stock ; but even these seem disappearing. It is odd that Moore also mentions a “Roman ” 
Runt, but appears to understand by it a coarser and commoner bird than that we have seen called 
by that name, and which was clearly related to his Leghorn, with the “goose-head,” arched neck, 
and elevated tail. The general effect of these peculiarities will be seen from the illustration ; and 
it is to be desired that a bird with such well-marked characters might be restored to the knowledge 
of fanciers, especially as all waste stock would be so useful in the larder. 
The Spanish Runt of Moore appears to be the common Runt of to-day, and the only generally 
known representative of the family. At the first Crystal Palace Shows prizes were offered for both 
Leghorn and Spanish Runts, all fanciers then blindly following old Moore ; like some, rather 
unwisely we think, profess to do now — as if we must sacrifice everything to notions of a century 
and a half ago. The result proved that for all practical purposes the Leghorn Runt was no longer 
known — at all events no such birds were entered in either class, the ordinary type alone being 
shown in each ; and since then, to all intents and purposes, one pigeon alone has been known as the 
Runt. It is chiefly in the hope of leading to a renewed inquiry for, and perhaps the fresh importa- 
tion of a variety that really presents characteristic properties besides that of size, that we reproduce 
Eaton’s illustration. 
The common or Spanish Runt is less kept than almost any variety, owing to its want of 
anything to attract the pigeon-fancier, having as it has practically but one property, viz., size. 
This is in some specimens truly wonderful, and we have often heard the remark made, “ Why, 
