. OTHER BREEDS OF UTILITY PIGEONS 71 



wing (wing butt) is embedded in the plumage of the breast. 

 Covering the fronts of the wings with the breast feathers 

 obliterates that racy frontal appearance seen on all varities of 

 Homers. The records of the White Kings are not made in the air. 



Exceptionally large or small specimens are undesirable. Ex- 

 hibition" White Kings should weigh 24 ounces for hens, and 

 26 ounces for cocks. It is unwise to breed from cocks or hens 

 considerably over or under these weights. 



That the standard of the White King as adopted by the 

 American White King Association pleases not simply the lover 

 of the beautiful in pigeons, but the practical, money-making 

 squab producer who ships extra select squabs to a fancy trade, 

 it is only necessary to refer to the unprecedented growth of the 

 White King in popularity. It has completely substantiated its 

 right of recognition as a handsome show pigeon for the fancier, 

 and as a rapid producer of twelve-pound, plump breasted, white 

 fleshed S(iua])s in the lofts of those who have investigated its 

 claims. It is a breed of deeds, not of words, a breed which 

 typifies the American standard of industry, a beloved king 

 among pigeons, a White King whose kingdom is ever increasing." 



CROSS BREEDS 



The average beginner in the pigeon business undertakes to 

 establish, ci'eate (or manufacture might be a better word) a 

 squab-producing pigeon according to his own architectural de- 

 signs. Crossing breeds of pigeons is waste of time even by 

 people who understand what they want to accomplish and have 

 an Idea as to the results of different crossing, for it takes years 

 to develop a hybrid into a bird that will perpetuate itself in size, 

 type, color, and qualities. Besides, it requires hundreds, yes, 

 thousands of pigeons, a large outlay of capital, ample room and 

 equipment, constant attention and endless patience. Even with 

 all this the outcome is a gamble. How, then, can an inexpe- 

 rienced person, with a vague knowledge of what he wants to 

 accomplish, with a few birds and no equipment, expect to con- 

 vert himself, like magic, into a Darwin or a "Pigeon Burbank?" 



This not only applies to beginners, but often to people who 

 have been plodding along for years in the pigeon business with 

 a few birds of first this and that variety. That some breeds are 



