DOMESTIC PIGEONS 93 



maintaining its equilibrium in the air. The bird 

 is actually a defective. Thus, care must be used 

 in breeding it, as the bird may tumble too far and 

 hurt itself. Individuals have been known to start 

 downward from a considerable height and to con- 

 tinue twisting head over heels until they crashed 

 to the ground. These are known as " mad-rol- 

 lers " or ' l roll-downs, ' ' and should never again be 

 flown. The ideal tumbler is one which goes 

 through several somersaults, recovers itself, and 

 lives to tumble again. 



Breeding these varieties is a difficult as well 

 as fascinating pastime. The most careful selection 

 is necessary. No mad-rollers can be taken as par- 

 ent stock lest the offspring fly a short course to 

 grief. Patience on the part of the trainer also is 

 essential. Once having produced birds of con- 

 servative tendency, the problem of the kitflier 

 is to teach his subjects to perform evenly and in 

 unison. Those which tumble out of time with 

 the rest must be eliminated or taught to perform 

 better. Training a kit takes both time -and per- 

 severance, and when the owner has. produced a 

 flock which meets full requirements he rightfully 

 deserves all the praise he can get, either from 

 himself or his neighbors. 



4 



Trap-Shooting 

 One of the most popular sports in England dur- 



