138 



DOMESTIC PIGEONS : 



Chap. V. 



world. 1 Since nry a-linissiori into two of the London pigeon- 

 clubs, I have received the kindest assistance from many of the 

 most eminent amateurs. 2 



The races of the Pigeon which can be distinguished, and 

 which breed true, are very numerous. MM. Boitard and 

 Corbie 3 describe in detail 122 kinds; arid I could add several 

 European kinds not known to them. In India, judging from 

 the skins sent me, there are many breeds unknown here ; and 

 Sir W. Elliot informs me that a collection imported by an 

 Indian merchant into Madras from Cairo and Constantinople 

 included several kinds unknown in India. I have no doubt 

 that there exist considerably above 150 kinds which breed 

 true and have been separately named. But of these the far 

 greater number differ from each other only in unimportant 

 characters. Such differences will be here entirely passed 

 over, and I shall confine myself to the more important points 

 of structure. That many important differences exist we 

 shall presently see. I have looked through the magnificent 



1 The Hon. C. Murray has sent me 

 some very valuable specimens from 

 Persia ; and H.M. Consul, Mr. Keith 

 Abbott, has given me information on 

 the pigeons of the same country. I 

 am deeply indebted to Sir Walter 

 Elliot for an immense collection of 

 skins from Madras, with much infor- 

 mation regarding them. Mr. Blyth 

 has freely communicated to me his 

 stores of knowledge on this and all 

 other related subjects. The Rajah 

 Sir James Brooke sent me specimens 

 from Borneo, as has H.M. Consul, 

 Mr. Swinhoe, from Amoy in China, 

 and Dr. Daniell from the west coast 

 of Africa. 



2 Mr. B. P. Brent, well known for 

 his various contributions to poultry 

 literature, has aided me in every way 

 during several years: so has Mr. 

 Tegetmeier, with unwearied kindness. 

 This latter gentleman, who is well 

 known for his works on poultry, an 1 

 who has largely bred pigeons, has 

 looked over this and the following 

 chapters. Mr. Bult formerly showed 

 me his unrivalled co/.'ection of Pouters, 



and gave me specimens. I had access 

 to Mr. Wicking's collection, which 

 contained a greater assortment of 

 kinds than could anywhere else be 

 seen ; and he has always aided me 

 with specimens and information given 

 in the freest manner. Mr. Haynes 

 and Mr. Corker have given me speci- 

 mens of their magnificent Carriers. 

 To Mr. Harrison Weir I am likewise 

 indebted. Nor must I by any means 

 pass over the assistance received from 

 Mr. J. M. Eaton, Mr. Baker, Mr. Evans, 

 and Mr. J. Baily, jun., of Mount- 

 street — to the latter gentleman I 

 have been indebted for some valuable 

 specimens. To all these gentlemen 

 I beg permission to return my sincere 

 and cordial thanks. 



3 ' Les Pigeons de Voliere et de 

 Colombier,' Paris, 1824. During forty- 

 five years the sole occupation of M. 

 Corbie was the care of the pigeons 

 belonging to the Duchess of Berry. 

 Bonizzi has described a large number 

 of coloured varieties in Italy : 'Ee 

 variazioni dei colombi Domestici . 

 Padova, 1873. 



