6 THE PIGEON-FANCIER. 



tion from God, Mr. Fancier, on the week day 

 when church doors are locked and bolted on 

 the public, go into your own loft and look around 

 and think. The Revelation is there, if you have 

 eyes to see, and heart to appreciate. 



My Pigeons yield me annually a bountiful 

 crop of pure, innocent, and quiet enjoyment. 

 When in the aviary surrounded by my birds, 

 with all vain thoughts of the rivalry of the 

 show-pen out of mind, and all sordid thoughts 

 of the competition of the Auction Mart equally 

 distant, I enjoy myself. Time passes pleasantly 

 taking up this bird, admiring that one, review- 

 ing the good points of this squeaker, and medi- 

 tating the best match for that new purchase. 

 On a warm summer afternoon I sit on the 

 garden seat in front of the " flight " with one 

 of Ruskin's books in my hand, having one eye 

 on the book and the other eye on the birds. 

 Presently I abandon the book altogether as a 

 useless subterfuge, and lie full stretch on the 

 grass in the cool shadow under the leafy poplars 

 watching the birds merry at play, happy at love- 

 making, preening their lustrous feathers or lying 

 restful in the sunshine. 



Do you say enjoyment is not an exalted 

 object in life to pursue ? Enjoyment is as 



