THE COLUMBINE, OR PIGEON GROUP. 149 



tumbler is a bird of great powers of fliglit, and 

 mounts to such an elevation, as sometimes to 

 be scarcely visible ; it can also continue on the 

 wing for several hours together, a circumstance 

 which gives it value in the eyes of many, who 

 delight to watch the circular movements of a 

 flock of these birds, in close array, soaring at a 

 vast altitude. 



The tumbler pigeon varies in colour, whence 

 have arisen various distinctive appellations, as 

 bald-headed tumblers, the head being white ; 

 and bearded tumblers either blue or black, with 

 a white moustache or stripe, extending from 

 the base of the beak. The head is small and 

 round, the beak short, and spine-shaped, the 

 iris a clear pearl-white, the chest full and broad, 

 the neck rather short, but slender, and the 

 general contour compact. This variety is kept 

 in great abundance in London. 



The Almond or Ermine Tumbler. — This 

 variety, though derived from the ordinary 

 tumbler, is not trained to flight, but is kept 

 for its beauty, and the rich and varied admix- 

 ture of its colours. It is much less than the 

 common tumbler in size, and the beak and 

 head are remarkably small; the plumage is 

 variegated ; yellow, black, white and brown, 



