27 SELECTION OF STOCK. 



lias some experienced friend often at hand to direct him in 

 their management. 



As a beginning, no better pigeons than common tumblers 

 can be put into the hands of a young fancier. They are 

 neat and tidy in appearance, of varied and beautiful colours, 

 and their performances in the air are a constant source of 

 pleasure to their owners. There are few fanciers, however 

 select their pigeons may be, who, if they can find accommo- 

 dation for them, fail to keep some pairs of these engaging 

 birds. They breed freely, are very hardy, and are serviceable 

 feeders for other pigeons. 



Characteristics of Breeds. 



The pigeons that look best on the wing are those of pro- 

 nounced markings, such as baldheads, turbits, and nuns. As 

 they wheel round in their flight, the contrast between the 

 white and coloured part of their plumage is very striking. 

 Pouters, of what might be called a second quality, for the 

 choicest are scarcely to be trusted at large, Norwich croppers, 

 pigmy pouters (such as Austrians and Isobels), and pouting 

 horsemen, or half-bred pouters and carriers, are all capital 

 flyers, and sail through the air in fine style. 



The pigeons that become most familiar with their owners 

 are pouters and fantails. It is necessary for the former to 

 become very tame if intended for exhibition, as otherwise 

 they lose much of their beauty and chance of success in 

 competition. On the other hand, carriers look best wild 

 and alarmed, familiarity on their part spoiling their fine 

 shape and statuesque appearance. 



Runts, though they look quiet and sedate in the loft, are 

 often of a spiteful disposition, making the feathers fly by the 

 dozen from birds that happen to encroach on their preserves. 



Carriers, also, are very vicious, and play sad havoc with 

 each other when they fall out. 



Trumpeters, such as were in England before the so-called 



