[2] Mr. B. P. Brent, well known for his various contributions to
poultry literature, has aided me in every way during several years: so
has Mr. Tegetmeier, with unwearied kindness. This latter gentleman,
who is well known for his works on poultry, and who has largely bred
pigeons, has looked over this and the following chapters. Mr. Bult
formerly showed me his unrivalled collection of Pouters, and gave me
specimens. I had access to Mr. Wicking’s collection, which contained a
greater assortment of kinds than could anywhere else be seen; and he
has always aided me with specimens and information given in the freest
manner. Mr. Haynes and Mr. Corker have given me specimens of their
magnificent Carriers. To Mr. Harrison Weir I am likewise indebted. Nor
must I by any means pass over the assistance received from Mr. J. M.
Eaton, Mr. Baker, Mr. Evans, and Mr. J. Baily, jun., of
Mount-street—to the latter gentleman I have been indebted for some
valuable specimens. To all these gentlemen I beg permission to return
my sincere and cordial thanks.
[3] ‘Les Pigeons de Volière et de Colombier’ Paris 1824. During
forty-five years the sole occupation of M. Corbié was the care of the
pigeons belonging to the Duchess of Berry. Bonizzi has described a
large number of coloured varieties in Italy: ‘Le variazioni dei
colombi Domestici,’ Padova, 1873.
[4] ‘Coup d’Oeil sur l’Ordre des Pigeons’ par Prince C. L. Bonaparte,
Paris, 1855. This author makes 288 species, ranked under 85 genera.
[5] As I so often refer to the size of the _C. livia,_ or rock-pigeon,
it may be convenient to give the mean between the measurements of two
wild birds, kindly sent me by Dr. Edmondstone from the Shetland
Islands.
Inches From feathered base of beak to end of tail: 14·25 From
feathered base of beak to oil-gland: 9·50 From tip of beak to
end of tail: 15·02 Of tail-feathers: 4·62 From tip to tip of
wing: 26·75 Of folded wing: 9·25 Beak: Length from tip of
beak to feathered base: ·77 Thickness, measured vertically at
distal end of nostrils: ·23 Breadth, measured at same
place: ·16 Feet: From end of middle toe (without claw) to
distal end of tibia: 2·77 From end of middle toe to end of hind
toe (without claws): 2·02 Weight: 14-1/4 ounces.
[6] This drawing was made from a dead bird. The six following figures
were drawn with great care by Mr. Luke Wells from living birds
selected by Mr. Tegetmeier. It may be confidently asserted that the
characters of the six breeds which have been figured are not in the
least exaggerated.
[7] ‘Das Ganze der Taubenzucht:’ Weimar, 1837, pl. 11 and 12.
[8] Boitard and Corbié, ‘Les Pigeons,’ etc., p. 177, pl. 6.
[9] ‘Die Taubenzucht,’ Ulm, 1824, s. 42.
[10] This treatise was written by Sayzid Mohammed Musari, who died in
1770: I owe to the great kindness of Sir W. Elliot a translation of
this curious treatise.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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