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Head: The head should have an oval sweep showing
frontal, but not too abrupt or angular. It should have a
good back skull, not dropping off too sharply but
curving continuously back, blending well into the neck.
The top of the head should not be too round or flat, but
continuing the oval sweep.
Beak:
Medium, strong at the base, heavier and thicker than in
the Birmingham Roller. A dark strip on the upper
mandible is permissible in dark colored birds. Light
beaks being preferred, except in blue and silver barred.
Eyes:
The eye should appear to be slightly forward of the
center of the head. Wealth of feather in back skull and
neck gives this appearance. The eye should be pearl.
Bull eyes are acceptable in whites. The lemon colored
eye is acceptable. The eyes should show an alert,
intelligent expression. Eye ceres should be fine, light
colored and smooth in texture.
Neck: The neck should be in proportion to the
body size. It should be full, giving the neck a thick
appearance. The neck feathers should have a high luster.
Body: The body is larger than in the Birmingham
Roller, but not too large. It should have a fairly broad
chest which tapers down to form a wedge. The keel should
not be deep or protruding, but flat and curving into the
vent. The body is more horizontally held rather than
upright, giving the bird a sleek look. A bird that has
poise (looks long) and has a sweep from the neck to the
tip of the tail, this is a most desired feature.
Back: The back should be broad and blend into
the width of the tail. The back is short and the tail is
held away from the wings and the ground. Viewing the
bird from the side there should be a sweep from the head
down and continuing out to the tip of the tail. This
gives the bird a concave back appearance.
Wings: The wings are carried below the tail.
They should blend well into the body with no protruding
wing butts. The flights are carried slightly off the
ground.
Tail: The tail is somewhat long and should be
carried slightly elevated, contributing to the sweeping
appearance of the bird. There should be at least 13 tail
feathers with no more than 20. The width of the tail at
rest should be the same width as the shoulders. The
feathers should be layered to form an arch, or
stepped effect. There should be no oil gland. The split
tail feather is permissible.
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