324 PIGEONS. 



THE HORSEMAN. 



Many fanciers suppose that the horse- 

 man is a cross-breed, either between a 

 tumbler and a carrier, or a pouter and 

 a carrier, and then again bred from 

 a carrier. In shape it resembles the 

 carrier, but it is smaller in all its proper- 

 ties, its body being less, and its neck 

 shorter, and the fungous-looking flesh 

 round its eyes not so exuberant, so that 

 there is a greater space between the 

 wattle on the beak, and that round the 

 eye. The most approved colours for this 

 species of pigeon are the blue and blue pied, as they are usually 

 the best breeders. They should be flown twice a day regularly 

 when young, and as they gain strength on the wing, be allowed to 

 range loose, without any other birds in company. This variety of 

 the pigeon tribe is the kind most generally employed in carrying 

 letters, the genuine carriers being much too scarce and valuable to 

 be commonly used. 



THE TUMBLER. 



These pretty pigeons derive their name from a peculiar habit of 

 tumbling backwards in the air when on the wing ; besides which, in 

 addition to their tumbling acquirements, they soar to so great a height 

 as to be almost lost to the view ; when flying they congregate very 

 close together, and if good birds and accustomed to each other, they 

 will maintain such a compact flight, that a dozen may almost be 

 covered with a large handkerchief. If the weather is warm and 

 bright, they may be allowed to wheel about and gambol on the wing 

 for four or five hours in succession ; but care must be taken that no 

 other species of pigeon mixes with them, for if they once become 

 familiarized and fly with others, they will gradually drop their highly- 

 prized mode of flight, and become worthless. They should never be 

 let out on a dull, heavy, misty morning, nor when a fog appears to 

 be rising, nor during a high wind, as all such atmospheric variations, 

 by causing desertions from the aerie, tend to diminish the stock. A 

 hen tumbler should never be suffered to fly while with egg. The 

 most esteemed tumblers do not summersault when swooping along, 

 but only when they are beginning to rise, or when coming down to 

 pitch, and to preserve this and the high-flying properties in his stock, 

 the provident fancier must spare no expense in the purchase of one 

 or two first-rate birds that have been used to soaring, as they will be 

 of much service in training the young ones. When the birds are 

 accustomed to their habitations they may be turned out, and put 

 upon the wing once a day only, however; a bright grey morning is 

 the best time, especially for young birds, and some hemp or canary 

 seeds must be scattered round their cotes to entice them in. 



