The gleaming white wattles, tightness of feathering, cocks constantly on the move when off the nest and hens with shimmering brightness and trembling tails: these signs are all indicative of good health. Most fit birds have remarkably clean feet which, when handled, give a feeling of warmth, the 'glow' of good health.
Youngsters must look and feel 'tight' and have a distinctly bright wattle and eye cere. The eyes in all fit pigeons should be really bright, glistening almost, yet perfectly dry, and blinking more quickly than a camera's shutter.
Taken from Pigeon Racing by F.W.S. Hall
Printed in 1962