b. Main color classifications for pigeons and their authorized abbreviations follow:
(1) Principal colors.
Type
Abbreviation
Description
Black
(Blk)
All feathers are black.
Blue
(B)
All feathers are grayish blue, generallywith two black bars on each wing.
Silver
(Sil)
All feathers are deep grayish silver,generally with two red bars on eachwing.
Red
(R)
All feathers are a solid brownish red(often called chocolate).
(2) Checkers.
Type
Abbreviation
Description
Black Checker
(Blk ch)
Principal color black with dark gray orchecker markings on rump and underpart of body.
Dark checker
(Dk ch)
Similar to black checker but showingmore distinct checker markings onthe wing.
Blue checker
(B ch)
Principally blue with checker markingson the body and wings.
Red checker
(R ch)
Principally red with checker markingson the body and wings.
Dun
(Dun)
Similar to silver except principal coloris of a darker shade.
Mealy
(Mly)
Similar to dun except that they do nothave sharply defined red markingson the wings.
Grizzle
(Griz)
Principal colors consist of red, black,and white mottled together. (Oftenthe black or red colors are not present.)Birds also will be found withgrizzle markings around the headand neck only. However, these birdswill be classified as grizzles and thewing markings may be indicated aswell.
(3) Combinations. Examples of combinations of colorings and markings,together with their authorized abbreviations, are—
(a) Black with white flights pied (Blk wft pd).
(b) Red with white flights (R wft).
(c) Blue pied (B pd).
(d) Black splash (Blk spl).
(e) Red checkered splash (R Ch spl).
(f) Blue checkered tick (B Ch tk).
(g) Blue with white flights (B wft).
(h) Checkered (Ch).
(i) Grizzle with blue wing markings (B griz).
27. Records and Reports
The records and reports required for each pigeon unit are Breeding Card, Pigeon Breeding Record, Pigeon Flight Record, Pigeon Pedigree, and Monthly Pigeon Loft Report.
a. Breeding Card, WD SC Form 1132 ([fig. 16]). The breeding card is fastened on the outside of the nest compartment as soon as the cock and the hen are mated and take possession of the nest. It remains there during the breeding activities of the particular pair of parent pigeons. The data provide the initial identification record of the youngsters and permit a careful check on the progress of their development. Entries must be timely, accurate, and legible. When the youngster leaves the breeding compartment, pertinent information from the breeding card is entered on the Pigeon Breeding Record (b below). Fill in the breeding card as follows:
(1) Pair number. Number of the nest compartment occupied by the parent pigeons.
Figure 16. Pigeon breeding card.
(2) Loft of. Name of the post, camp, or station where the loft is located, and the designation of the loft.
