82 THE PIGEON-FANCIER. 



penditure of much skill and patience, the bird 

 has become wondrously improved in fineness of 

 qualities. The formation of the head is bolder ; 

 the brow more beetling ; the standard length of 

 beak reduced from seven to five- eighths of an 

 inch. j The carriage is more spirited and grace- 

 ful ; the contour more flowing and compact. If 

 there be room left anywhere for improvement it 

 is in the ground colour of the plumage, which 

 wants redeeming from the present dusky red or 

 mahogany brown to a rich toned yellow. The 

 late Mr. George Chapman, of Cambridge, de- 

 served thanks from all of us for his contribution 

 toward the improvement of the bird in head and 

 beak formation. Forty years ago he found the 

 bird comparatively coarse in these qualities. 

 When he passed away last July, he left it in its 

 present perfected condition a legacy to us of a 

 life's enthusiasm. Mr. Chapman has joined the 

 mighty Pigeon Fanciers of the past, but he 

 leaves behind him the memory of a great enthu- 

 siasm for the ideal, even as the fragrance of the 

 violet lingers in the lane after the flower itself 

 has been snatched away. 



Every rose has a thorn. " There are tricks 

 in all trades but mine," says the model business 

 man ; I must confess our hobby has a shady 



