252 FANCY PIGEONS. 



me sometliing ; some may sliow to a certain extent. It is 

 very disheartening to Gentlemen Fanciers of the English 

 Pouter when this takes place, after forwarding their birds 

 miles, &c., to give their brother Fanciers a treat, as it was 

 supposed ; it does not always turn out to be so, owing to their 

 not showing, as it is called. Nevertheless, it often proves 

 a treat to see what length of body and shape, length in leg, 

 and beautiful in feather. It is otherwise with the light (not 

 heavy) merry spirited Pouting Horseman cock, when put into 

 the show pen, always up and ready for his work, not long in 

 stripping himself, putting himself in attitude, and suiting the 

 action to the word, display that fine action of showing which 

 is well understood by the Gentlemen of the Fancy ; giving 

 infinite satisfaction with regard to being a merry pigeon, &c. 

 ... I have this week bought two pretty little Pouting Horse- 

 man cocks; I am informed they come from Norwich. I am 

 given to understand they fly tremendously, with very large 

 crops. . . . The Gentlemen Fanciers of the English Pouter 

 may assume that I admire the small Pouting Horseman more 

 than the large English Pouter. The contrary is the fact ; 

 I never have, and never shall, advise the young and in- 

 experienced Fancier to attempt to breed a second-rate bird, 

 while he has the opportunity to breed a first-rate bird, there- 

 fore I shall not advise him to breed the Pouting Horseman 

 while he has the opportunity to attempt to breed the English 

 Pouter, any more than I shall advise him to breed a Skinnum, 

 Dragon, or Horseman, while he has the opportunity to attempt 

 to breed a Carrier, for degeneracy will do that, in spite of 

 the efforts of the most experienced Fanciers ; but I am desirous 

 you should breed the English Pouter with more style and 

 grace, with a hollow back, smaller in the girt, stout legs, but 

 not like mill-posts, soft downy or snow-like feather legs ; but 

 not rushed and sprouted with feathers that almost prevent 

 the bird from walking." 



All the foregoing is in a long note to Moore's description 



