1 so The Fancy — Varieties. 



club, ill which premiums are awarded, and 

 the notable science of the fancy, through the 

 medium of crossing colours and forms, is 

 promoted and perpetuated. The chief ob- 

 jects of the fancy have hitherto been those 

 varieties styled almond (probably ermine) 

 TUMBLERS, CARRIERS, and the birds with 

 great crops, the most fashionable variety of 

 which, is the pouting horseman. The spe- 

 cific merits of these breeds are indicated by 

 their names. The tumbler exercises that 

 faculty in the air, but is chiefly valued for 

 his peculiar form and variegated plumage. 

 The carrier, as a messenger, cuts the air 

 with almost inconceivable swiftness. The 

 pouter, distends his crop to a size attractive 

 to curiosity, and by his grotesque attitudes 

 and familiarity with man, engages his at- 

 tention. Half a century ago, the pigeon 

 fancy was in higher estimation and prospe- 

 rity than at present ; and the almond tum- 

 bler was then in the greatest vogue, such 

 sums, probably, as twenty or thirty guineas 

 each, being the price of superior cocks of 

 that breed, such as, at the present time. 



