CHAPTER III. 



THE PEDIGREE OF THE FANCY. 



THERE is an opinion abroad that Pigeons are 

 " low." It would be unkind to question the 

 sanity of those persons who thus asperse the 

 respectability of the birds ; it is more humane to 

 pity their ignorance. Would it be presumptuous 

 of us to challenge them to quote an authority 

 supporting the terrible denunciation that Pigeons 

 are " low ? " In genteel society this verdict 

 immediately extinguishes a thing. Punch re- 

 lates that a Belgravian mamma corrected her 

 son with the crushing remonstrance, " It's worse 

 than wicked, my dear, it's vulgar.'' I protest 

 against the rude behaviour of the ignorant 

 classes throwing dirt on the beautiful plumage 

 of the inoffensive bird. The mischief done is 

 perfectly harmless. It is mud ; it will brush off 

 when dry. 



Are Pigeons "low" because poor people keep 



