220 PKIhOXS AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



THE FLYING HOMER. 



I NOW take up the pigeon that is perhaps creating more 

 excitement to-day than is any other breed. Not only 

 are its wonderful powers being turned to use in civil and 

 military life ; not only is it used as a "sporting" bird, just as 

 the race horse is used, but, through its low price, it is being 

 disseminated all over this land, and is being kept by untold 

 numbers of budding fanciers who w r ant something a little 

 better than the common pigeon, and yet cannot afford to 

 handle the high priced varieties. 



Again, it is so hardy, so strong, so easily kept, (needing no 

 more attention than the common pigeon) and such are its 

 breeding powers, and its care of its young, that it is no won- 

 der that Homers are to be seen in almost every little village 

 in the country. 



Outside of the general characteristics, the Homer is not 

 bred for feather, for body, skull, beak, or even size, except 

 that it should be large enough to be vigorous. 



Some of the greatest flyers have been rather small and 

 delicate looking birds that have easily surpassed other bird* 

 which have seemed to show every point bred to the highest 

 perfection. 



Take the average basket of Homers that is sent to an Ex. 

 press office for liberation, and no man, 110 matter how care- 

 fully he may look them over, can express a competent opin- 

 ion as to which is the best bird. 



But the working Homer is not produced without due care, 

 and the greatest regard to heredity. It is to a producing of 

 the instinct, or the eye sig'ht and memory, or whatever we 

 may decide it to be, to which the good fancier directs his 

 attention. 



