Chapter IV. 



o< SELECTION OF STOCK. X 

 Early Experience. 



the selection of stock the pigeon fancier 

 has many varieties to choose from. Not 

 only do the forms of pigeons vary much, 

 but their plumage is diversified to an ex- 

 traordinary degree, and the disposition or 

 temper of the birds themselves varies greatly in different 

 breeds. Most, if not all, who begin pigeon keeping early in 

 life, commence with common kinds, with which they learn 

 the rudiments of the fancy, and so gain the experience 

 necessary to enable them to keep the more choice breeds 

 with success. Of all who do so begin pigeon- keeping, how- 

 ever, but few follow it up in after life, either from want of 

 the necessary accommodation in the places to which their 

 destiny may lead them, or, more often, because the pursuit 

 has no real hold on their minds. Whether the fancier begin 

 early or late in life, it is necessary for him to spend some 

 probationary time in mastering the rudiments of his pursuit, 

 and to do so with expensive birds, the beauties of which he 

 cannot, probably, realise, is a waste of money, unless he 



