314 FANCY PIGEONS. 



The following Tippler handicap was flown Tuesday, 30th 

 March, 1886, at Leicester : 



Mr, W. Holland, of 15, New Walk, Leicester, made a match 

 to fly his birds for twelve hours. The birds were started on 

 Monday, 12th April, at 6 a.m., and had to be dropped at 

 night. Time, IShrs. 45min. — the best on record with Tipplers. 



Common Tumblers. 



The Tumbler is spread in great variety throughout Europe 

 and Asia. It has long been known in this country, and is 

 described by Willughby (1678). He says : " These are small, 

 and of divers colours. They have strange motions, turning 

 themselves backwards over their heads, and show like foot- 

 balls in the air." The ordinary Tumbler of this country 

 is a small pigeon, thin in the neck, full in the breast, of 

 medium length in flights and tail, short-legged, and free of 

 leg and foot feather. The head is rounded, and free from sharp 

 angles, and the forehead of middle height. The beak should 

 be short and thin, or what is known as a spindle beak. The 

 beak wattle and eye wattle should not be greatly developed. 

 The eye should be white or pearl-coloured in the iris, but is 

 usually of a red pearl, not nearly so white as in the Conti- 

 nental Cumulet, There are, however, many yellow, red, and 

 hazel-eyed birds as good performers as ever flew; but I am 

 describing the Tumbler as it ought to be when shown, and 

 as it is in many lofts where kept only to be flown, for good- 

 looking birds that are good performers as well, may be got 



