1868.] 357 [Harris. 



Portland and mated with a ground tumbler there, but the progeny 

 were no improvement upon the former. Her flight was that of an 

 ordinar}' pigeon, but at intervals, always while upon the gi'ound, she 

 would thi'ow herself over and with wings extended to serve as pur- 

 chases, would literally roll upon the ground" many feet at a time 

 without stopping. When arrested by an opposing object or from 

 sheer exhaustion, she would scramble to her feet, and as soon as breath 

 returned start off upon the wing. 



It is an interesting question whether this tumbling or rolling pro- 

 pensity, developed in a greater or less degree in the three varieties, 

 is a natural or educated trait. It is certain that as many as nine out 

 of ten of carefully bred young, tumble as soon as they attain strength 

 and confidence in their flight, commencing with very cautious and 

 slow attempts, but when proficient in the art, turning so rapidly that 

 it requires a cjuick eye to analyze the movement. I have never 

 known or heard of any means by which this peculiarity could be 

 taught — nor can I imagine any way. Sometimes when a young 

 beginner fails in his attempts to complete his somerset, the fancier 

 plucks out one or two of the outer feathers on each side of the tail, 

 and even cuts an inch or so off" the length of the tail, thereby lessen- 

 ing the resistance to the air. And one fact worthy of notice is that the 

 tail of the good tumbler is almost invariably rather pointed than spread 

 in its form. 



The second group, the Fantails, are, from their beautiful forms and 

 spread tails, great favorites. The t-]iecimens here shown are all 

 remarkable, the first, the common white variety, being of unusually 

 fine carriage, and very perfect in its form. The second is completely 

 black. This variety is highly prized and quite uncommon, and the 

 specimen on the table is the finest I have ever seen. The third is 

 exceedingly rare. It is of an almond color, slightly marked with 

 white : a perfect almond fantail I have never seen. 



The third grouj) consists of the several varieties of Pouter. The 

 individuals differ only in color, the leading characteristics being the same 

 in all. I believe this to be the largest species we have. The speci- 

 men on the table is a young bird — eighteen months old, and not yet 

 in his prime. I have heavier and larger ones in my collection, but 

 none so purely and decidedly marked as this. In shape the Pouter 

 is very tall and slender, the legs long and heavily feathered even to 

 the toes, and the carriage remarkably upright. The striking pecu- 

 liarity is in the throat. He has the power of AvonderfuUy enlarging the 

 crop with air. This faculty is not confined to the male although the 

 power of the female in this respect is less. 



The fancier is very arbitrary in his demands as to the marking of 

 the Pouter. Whatever be the color — although the blue is properly 



