[11] ‘Poultry Chronicle,’ vol. 2, p. 573. [12] ‘Annals and Mag. of Nat. History,’ vol. xix, 1847, p. 105. [13] This gland occurs in most birds; but Nitzsch (in his ‘Pterylographie,’ 1840, p. 55) states that it is absent in two species of Columba, in several species of Psittacus, in some species of Otis, and in most or all birds of the Ostrich family. It can hardly be an accidental coincidence that the two species of Columba, which are destitute of an oil-gland, have an unusual number of tail-feathers, namely 16, and in this respect resemble Fantails. [14] _See_ the two excellent editions published by Mr. J. M. Eaton in 1852 and 1858, entitled ‘A Treatise on Fancy Pigeons.’ [15] English translation, by F. Gladwin, 4th edition, vol. i. The habit of the Lotan is also described in the Persian treatise before alluded to, published about 100 years ago: at this date the Lotans were generally white and crested as at present. Mr. Blyth describes these birds in ‘Annals and Mag. of Nat. Hist.,’ vol. xiv., 1847, p. 104; he says that they “may be seen at any of the Calcutta bird-dealers.” [16] ‘Journal of Horticulture,’ Oct. 22, 1861, p. 76. [17] _See_ the account of the House-tumblers kept at Glasgow, in the ‘Cottage Gardener,’ 1858, p. 285. Also Mr. Brent’s paper, ‘Journal of Horticulture,’ 1861, p. 76. [18] J. M. Eaton, ‘Treatise on Pigeons,’ 1852, p. 9. [19] J. M. Eaton, ‘Treatise,’ edit. 1858, p. 76. [20] Neumeister, ‘Taubenzucht,’ tab. 4. fig. i. [21] Riedel, ‘Die Taubenzucht,’ 1824, s. 26. Bechstein, ‘Naturgeschichte Deutschlands,’ Band iv. s. 36, 1795. [22] Willughby’s ‘Ornithology,’ edited by Ray. [23] J. M. Eaton’s edition (1858) of Moore, p. 98. [24] Pigeon pattu plongeur. ‘Les Pigeons,’ etc., p. 165. [25] ‘Naturgeschichte Deutschlands,’ Band iv. s. 47. [26] Mr. W. B. Tegetmeier, ‘Journal of Horticulture,’ Jan. 20, 1863, p. 58. [27] ‘Coup-d’œil sur L’Ordre des Pigeons,’ par C. L. Bonaparte (‘Comptes Rendus’), 1854-55. Mr. Blyth, in ‘Annals of Nat. Hist.,’ vol. xix., 1847, p. 41, mentions, as a very singular fact, “that of the two species of Ectopistes, which are nearly allied to each other, one should have fourteen tail-feathers, while the other, the passenger pigeon of North America, should possess but the usual number—twelve.” [28] Described and figured in the ‘Poultry Chronicle,’ vol. iii., 1855, p. 82. [29] ‘The Pigeon Book,’ by Mr. B. P. Brent, 1859, p. 41. [30] ‘Die staarhälsige Taube. Das Ganze, etc.,’ s. 21, tab. i. fig. 4. [31] ‘A Treatise on the Almond-Tumbler,’ by J. M. Eaton, 1852, p. 8, _et passim._ [32] ‘A Treatise, etc.,’ p. 10. [33] Boitard and Corbié ‘Les Pigeons,’ etc., 1824, p. 173.