666 THE AMERICAN FARMER 



PIGEONS. 



THE numerous varieties of domesticated pigeons, amounting to more than two hundred 

 and fifty, are supposed by naturalists to have descended from the common wild 

 pigeon so well known and widely distributed over both continents. This great 

 diversity from one common ancestory shows what can be accomplished in the art of breeding 

 with a specific object in view. Pigeons make beautiful pets for children or older members of 

 the household, and are an attractive and pleasing adjunct to the surroundings of a country 

 or city home. They require but little care, and well repay for their keeping. Fancy pigeons 

 are divided into two classes, viz.: the &quot;high class&quot; and the &quot;toys.&quot; Some of the principal 

 among those recognized as belonging to the former, are the Pouters, Tumblers, Almond, 

 Short-faced Carriers, and Barbs, while the leading toy varieties are the Trumpeters, Fantails, 

 Long-faced Tumblers, Helmets, Quakers, Priests, Turbits, Jacobins, Magpies, Swallows, 

 English Owls, Nuns, Archangels, Antwerp Carriers, etc. 



As to which varieties are the most desirable for breeding will depend much upon the taste 

 of the breeder, since each variety differs very essentially from every other, and individual 



tastes differ so widely. The varieties which are 

 perhaps the most popular generally are the 

 Pouters, Carriers, Short-faced, Fantails, Jacobins, 

 although there are many others that may be 

 equally desirable. 



Pouters. There are five varieties of Pout 

 ers, viz. : the blue-pied, black-pied, red-pied, yel 

 low-pied, and white. They are very attractive 

 birds when well bred, and possess one very pecul 

 iar characteristic, which consists of being able to 

 distend or blow up what seems to be an immense 

 crop, which gives them a very singular appear 

 ance, hence the name pouters, or as they are 

 also sometimes called, &quot;blowers.&quot; They have 

 a very upright carriage, tapering bodies, and long legs. These birds will become very tame 

 when kindly treated, and seem to love to be petted. 



Short-faced Tumblers. There are a dozen or more varieties of the Short-faced 

 Tumblers of which the standard colors are Almond, Kite, Mottles in Yellow and Red, Agate 

 Mottles in Yellow and Red, whole feathers in Yellow and Red, Dun, Grizzle, Blue, etc. 

 This class of pigeons derive their name originally from the habit of turning a somersault 

 backward in the air during flight. This propensity seems to be partially voluntary and again 

 involuntary or caused by some special excitement; as the bird has a short plump body, small 

 head, and short wings and tail, the weight of the body would more easily turn it over than 

 if the wings and tail were more lengthy. There are the Short-faced and Long-faced 

 Tumblers- the latter are generally the birds that perform these somersaults best, although 

 some of the short-faced varieties will compete with them in this respect. The Almond is 

 the most popular variety. Tumblers are regarded by many as the most intelligent of all the 

 pigeon race- they have a broad, high head, which has a prominent rise from the base of the 

 neck, which is very short. They are beautiful in form and plumage, have a round, dignified 

 carriage, and are active, but quiet in habit. 



A breeder of these birds describes the plumage of the leading varieties as follows: 

 &quot;In Almonds, bright buff, intermixed with black and white throughout the entire bird, each 



