The Magpie
The Magpie is an archaic pigeon breed, a magpied tumbler pigeon.
Size - Small, from actual measurements, good average specimens in good condition, when standing in a natural position measure from sole of foot to top of head from 8 to 9.5 inches in height, the length from tip of beak to end of tail, without stretching, from l2.5 to 14 inches.
Shape - Apparently long, slender and snake-like, chest full and round, but not broad, the body round, thin and gracefully tapering from front to vent, with no approach to Owl or Tumbler form, shoulders well defined, but not carried prominently as in the Dragoon, legs set well back to show breast.
Carriage - Is a very important characteristic of the Magpie, but if the shape be good and true, the proper carriage is almost sure to follow ; it should be smart, sprightly.The body well poised on the graceful and slender limbs, the neck and body forming a continuous easy curve, but the neck must not incline backwards, head and beak carried horizontally,
Head - Must be long and thin, round on top of skull, showing a soft easy curve in every direction—the term snake headed is often used, but does not apply as many snakes are Hat-headed, which is quite a reverse of what is wanted in the Magpie as nearly even in substance throughout as possible, not wedge-headed, no stop at junction of head and beak, but rising with a gradual curve from front to back, fine and neat at back of skull, lean face, with no approach to Owl or short-faced Tumbler form. Junction of head with neck to be neat
Beak - Should be long, thin and nearly equal in substance throughout, with slight hook at end of mandible ,but no dip in lower mandible, free from coarseness,furnished with slight wattle of fine texture, pale in colour approaching to white, free from stain or marking except in blacks, blues and duns, in which colours a very slight Vandyke mark on tip of upper mandible is admissible.
Neck - Long, thin, quite free from gullet or fullness of the throat, thinnest at the point of junction with the head, swelling gently towards the shoulders, which it should join with a graceful and gentle curve.
Eye and Eye Cere - Eye white or pearl colour, pupil intensely black and clearly defined, what is commonly known as a "fish eye," the eye cere is seen in various tints, from nearly white to a coral red. In blacks the deeper the red the better, and a shade of pink in other colours, but do not put much stress on this point. The cere should be small and fine in texture, no approach to a Barb eye is admissible, but just enough to show a delicate and even border to the eye, and no more.
Legs and Feet - Legs rather long than otherwise, straight not knock-kneed . Shanks thin, lean and free from feathering, covered with fine scales. Toes long, thin, and well separated, also free from feathering. Toenails white, both legs and feet bright red in colour
Tail and Flights - Tail rather long, the feathers narrow and closely folded, containing not more than twelve feathers. Not swallow-tailed or divided in center, the tail should be carried in a line with the back, just clear of the ground, but not cocked up at all. Flights rather narrow, closely folded, carried close to the side, tips resting on top of tail, about half an inch from side, not crossed.
Colour -The whole of the body except head, neck and breast, back, saddle and tail pure white, the colour on the coloured portions to be bright, deep and lustrous as possible; in blacks the irridescent colours and metallic sheen are most important; wherever the colour extends it must be of one rich, even depth, extending even to the shafts of the tail feathers. Many otherwise good birds often run chequer or ashy about the top of rump and root of tail, which is very objectionable.Blues and silvers should have black tail bars.
Markings - Cut on breast. Sharp and evenly defined, without artificial assistance, the colour extending downwards to about the tip of the breast bone, or a very little below, running across the breast, either in a straight line or slightly curving upwards towards shoulders, showing a slightly convex form. It is advisable to raise the wings, and if many foul feathers are discovered between breast and vent markings, the breast should be carefully examined for foul feathers or trimming.
Cut on shoulders - Colour extending across the broadest part of the back at the shoulders, from side to side at intersection of the wing with body, tapering evenly and smoothly towards the tail, and forming an elongated heart or V shaped saddle, showing no ragged edges on shoulders.
Cut at vent - Even and extending only a very short distance from beneath root of tail, no foul or coloured feathers extending towards thighs or belly.
Plumage - Close and compact, but not hard feathered.
Shape - Apparently long, slender and snake-like, chest full and round, but not broad, the body round, thin and gracefully tapering from front to vent, with no approach to Owl or Tumbler form, shoulders well defined, but not carried prominently as in the Dragoon, legs set well back to show breast.
Carriage - Is a very important characteristic of the Magpie, but if the shape be good and true, the proper carriage is almost sure to follow ; it should be smart, sprightly.The body well poised on the graceful and slender limbs, the neck and body forming a continuous easy curve, but the neck must not incline backwards, head and beak carried horizontally,
Head - Must be long and thin, round on top of skull, showing a soft easy curve in every direction—the term snake headed is often used, but does not apply as many snakes are Hat-headed, which is quite a reverse of what is wanted in the Magpie as nearly even in substance throughout as possible, not wedge-headed, no stop at junction of head and beak, but rising with a gradual curve from front to back, fine and neat at back of skull, lean face, with no approach to Owl or short-faced Tumbler form. Junction of head with neck to be neat
Beak - Should be long, thin and nearly equal in substance throughout, with slight hook at end of mandible ,but no dip in lower mandible, free from coarseness,furnished with slight wattle of fine texture, pale in colour approaching to white, free from stain or marking except in blacks, blues and duns, in which colours a very slight Vandyke mark on tip of upper mandible is admissible.
Neck - Long, thin, quite free from gullet or fullness of the throat, thinnest at the point of junction with the head, swelling gently towards the shoulders, which it should join with a graceful and gentle curve.
Eye and Eye Cere - Eye white or pearl colour, pupil intensely black and clearly defined, what is commonly known as a "fish eye," the eye cere is seen in various tints, from nearly white to a coral red. In blacks the deeper the red the better, and a shade of pink in other colours, but do not put much stress on this point. The cere should be small and fine in texture, no approach to a Barb eye is admissible, but just enough to show a delicate and even border to the eye, and no more.
Legs and Feet - Legs rather long than otherwise, straight not knock-kneed . Shanks thin, lean and free from feathering, covered with fine scales. Toes long, thin, and well separated, also free from feathering. Toenails white, both legs and feet bright red in colour
Tail and Flights - Tail rather long, the feathers narrow and closely folded, containing not more than twelve feathers. Not swallow-tailed or divided in center, the tail should be carried in a line with the back, just clear of the ground, but not cocked up at all. Flights rather narrow, closely folded, carried close to the side, tips resting on top of tail, about half an inch from side, not crossed.
Colour -The whole of the body except head, neck and breast, back, saddle and tail pure white, the colour on the coloured portions to be bright, deep and lustrous as possible; in blacks the irridescent colours and metallic sheen are most important; wherever the colour extends it must be of one rich, even depth, extending even to the shafts of the tail feathers. Many otherwise good birds often run chequer or ashy about the top of rump and root of tail, which is very objectionable.Blues and silvers should have black tail bars.
Markings - Cut on breast. Sharp and evenly defined, without artificial assistance, the colour extending downwards to about the tip of the breast bone, or a very little below, running across the breast, either in a straight line or slightly curving upwards towards shoulders, showing a slightly convex form. It is advisable to raise the wings, and if many foul feathers are discovered between breast and vent markings, the breast should be carefully examined for foul feathers or trimming.
Cut on shoulders - Colour extending across the broadest part of the back at the shoulders, from side to side at intersection of the wing with body, tapering evenly and smoothly towards the tail, and forming an elongated heart or V shaped saddle, showing no ragged edges on shoulders.
Cut at vent - Even and extending only a very short distance from beneath root of tail, no foul or coloured feathers extending towards thighs or belly.
Plumage - Close and compact, but not hard feathered.
