EYES: Pearl (bull in whites are acceptable), with a small pupil, the eye should be positioned slightly forward with the ceres being unobtrusive (thin) and flesh colored. the overall impression being

intelligence and confidence.

BEAK: Medium long in length, strong at the base with a wattle of a fine texture but showing some substance. The width should be one third the length. Flesh colored (clear) beaks are preferred

in all colors. A stained strip or tip on the upper mandible is permissible in blue series birds. Black, blue (T-pattern checker, bar and barless).

NECK: Medium in length, rising evenly from the body, becoming thinner towards the throat, with the throat rising to an arch under the beak with no dewlap.

BREAST: The breast should feel solid in the hand and be of medium width, The feathers covering the wing butts, with a medium depth keel, curving towards a tight vent.

BACK: Medium and flexible, wide at the shoulders sloping slightly towards the tail. The rump as wide as the tail base and no oil gland.

LEGS & FEET: The legs should be medium in length and red in color. The stance poised ready for flight. The toenails should match the color of the beak.

WINGS: Carried below the tail giving the appearance of being loosely closed. They should not touch the ground. The flights should be long and show a slight curve or sickle shape (slightly bowed) pointed at the tip. The secondaries should be strong, interlocking with the webs dragging against each other when spread apart, showing no gaps between the feathers.

TAIL: The tail should be elevated slightly above the horizontal plane and be one half to three quarters of an inch longer than the flights. There should be (14) to (20) feathers in a single row tightly packed with a slight arch. Split or double feathers are allowed in the middle of the tail only. There should be no gap or fork in the middle of the tail. The tail flares out from the rump, but only slightly.

BODY & SIZE: The bird should be slightly long in the length. The cocks should be medium in size weighing (12) to (14) ounces and the hens a little less.

COLORS: All colors are acceptable. They should be as intense as possible. Almonds and grizzled are to be considered as solid colored birds. Blue series; T-pattern, checkers, bars, or barless should be considered in the same class. The same for the Ash Red and Brown series. White patterned birds if allowed, should be considered as AOC (any other color) and not eligible for champion status. AOC would be any color and white (Baldhead, Badge, Beard, Whiteside, Saddle, Monk, Priest, Gazzit or any other known combination).

MAJOR-FAULTS: Less than (14) tail feathers. Too many feathers in the tail can cause the tail to have a fantail or scooped looke this is a serious fault. More than a single row of tail feathers, Wings carried above the tail. Other than pearl eyes. Black beaks. Presence of an oil gland. Forked tail. Obvious out crosses. A bird that obviously cannot fly.

MINOR-FAULTS: Crouching or slack poise. Long back. Crooked keel. Loose vent. Loose feathered. Feather lice or mite holes. Dull color. Overly fuzzy bars or checks that lack definition. Black toenails.

Too much flare to the tail. The tail held too high. Out of condition and lack of expression.

NPA BOOK OF STANDARDS - TUMBLER, ROLLER & HIGH FLYER PIGEONS • FLYING ORIENTAL ROLLER