HOMING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2674, 14 June 1905, Page 53

HOMING NOTES.

By Maksta Mealy.

SHOW PlGEONS— (Continued)

The length of the breast-bone denote* a good conformation of the breathing organs, an indispensable thing for the racing pigeon. The claws ought not to be too long, nor at the same time too short, for if this defect exists, the pigeon has a stooping appearance detrimental to its success as a show bird.

The body ought to be in its entirety firm and compact, without being heavy ; it should be well shaped, and the feathers should be thin and tight all over tho bird. Let us consider now the head, which, after all, is of the greatest importance, and! to which the judge ought to give the mosfc special consideration. The shape of the head should form an elegant curve from the wattles of the beak to the nape of the neck ; it should be wide betw een the eyes, so that there may bo a spacious skull cavity; the beak should be rather big, but not too long : when ifc i<« closed the two parts should make a perfect joint. The waiTTe-s of the beak should not be too developed. The same holds good for the cere which surrounds rhe c\ve._ which ought to bo of a greyish white tin{. of a deeper colour, or even black, at the edges. The pigeons which have pink membranes should be rejected as being imperfeci, specimens. The same holds good for tho' 0 who have the wattles stronerly developed English type of beak). This shape is bad seeing that it presents many drawback* fo~ the pigeon* of the traveller species. v niy needs a slight blow on the beak r-.c^ved in the baskets to put hors de comb?*- birds which tinder other circumstance^ piarht have secured the highest honours. Subjected to head wind, the developed wattles become a prey to inflammation, which' spreads to the eyes, thus making it impossible for the bird to continue its flight. (To he continued. )