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The Illustrated Book of Plgeons. 
There can, we think, be very little doubt that the Runt is either the parent, or at least one of 
the parents, of the Pouter ; and this fact gives it a special interest to the fancier. It is still the only 
bird that can practically be crossed with that breed ; a cross we have not only used ourselves, but 
known several other breeders use also. In every case the progeny, though apt to be too thick and 
“ runtish,” and needing care in selection after, are unmistakable Pouters, and the length of feather 
and even limb gained by the cross is very remarkable. For these purposes the Spanish Runt must 
be employed, being long in flights and tail ; and those who wish to obtain such length can do so in 
one season by breeding a Runt to a rough-legged Pouter, the latter of course having plenty of 
crop, and good marking, to counterbalance the want of these properties in the Runt. Some of 
the specimens thus bred will measure eight inches in limb ; and though unfortunately they never 
show much — looking more like four than eight — still such results are sometimes worth securing. 
Most of those who keep Runts do so for the table. It certainly does not take many of them 
to fill a pie ; still, even from this point of view, we think they are generally unsatisfactory, since 
most of them — and the largest most especially — are bad breeders and nurses. If a careful trial 
were made, and the results noted, we have a strong conviction that one strong pair of common 
dovehouse pigeons would far outstrip a pair of Runts in the weight of progeny reared during one 
season ; for besides feeding their progeny badly, they are very apt to break their eggs. Some of 
the smaller specimens breed better, and especially if they can be allowed to fly at large ; but even 
then the produce reared is rarely equal to that of other pigeons ; and after all the chief practical 
utility of the Runt seems to us to be as a cross with the Pouter. In this case the Silver Runt 
should be used for the white Pouter ; and the Blue for other colours, choosing if possible a young 
Runt with as small a head and as little of the hog-back of the Runt as possible, and carefully 
breeding back to the Pouter : but it takes so long to get rid of the round back, runtish shoulders, 
and thick girth, that we cannot and do not recommend the cross if Pouters can be procured, for 
there are already far too many showing runtish features ; but, as now and then it may appear to 
some necessary, these few words may not be thrown away. 
In showing Runts, as already mentioned, the chief point is size. It is necessary, therefore, 
that the young should be well looked after, and hand-fed, still allowing the parents or nurses to sit 
upon them and give them what they will. A very good plan, again, is to give only one young one 
to a pair of good feeders ; indeed, it is almost impossible to get fine young ones for show in any 
other way, for their consumption of food is enormous, and, whether in the nest-pan or later, we 
would rather keep- — so far as food goes — two pairs of any other variety than one of Runts. 
POINTS IN JUDGING RUNTS. 
Weight ................ 4 
Apparent size ....... ....... 2 
Colour ............... 2 
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