312 FANCY PIGEONS. 



first favourites, into whatever other channels their fancy 

 may roam. 



The Tumbler derives its name from its inherited propensity 

 of turning over backwards in its flight. What causes it 

 to tumble over in this way is not known, though many 

 theories have been propounded to account for it. Some well- 

 bred birds never attain to it, while others carry it to such 

 an excess that they cannot rise from the ground a couple of 

 feet. The latter kind, known as Ground Tumblers, often 

 resume flying and tumbling in the air, and again become 

 Grounders. House Tumblers are such as can rise from 

 the ground, but often tumble in their flight across a room;, 

 they do not, however, always perform when required to 

 do so. Air Tumblers sometimes become so proficient and 

 systematic in their performances that they change hands 

 for 10s. each and upwards among poor men. Such birds 

 will sometimes go off tumbling, and fall in value to 

 the normal price of a shilling, and, after remaining very 

 ordinary ones for a year or two, suddenly become good ones 

 again, and rise in value in proportion. Many a good Tumbler 

 has never given a turn till two or three years old, and some 

 can never get more than half over in their attempts to turn. 

 I certainly think that, in the case of ordinary Tumblers, 

 tumbling is a real pleasure to them, and that they do it 

 voluntarily ; but the habit grows on some birds to such 

 an extent, that they either cannot rise from the ground, or, 

 when in mid air, lose command of themselves, and, striking 

 against some projection, destroy themselves. 



There are many styles of tumbling, and the one most 

 generally admired is that in which the bird turns over once 

 at a time, and often, but without losing way in its flight. 

 At the same time, those that rise and fall in the air by 

 alternate soaring and rollings — each roll being composed of 

 several backward turns — are also liked by many people. 

 Some birds make the most extraordinary motions in the air. 



