28 FANCY PIGEONS. 



Russian ones were introduced, were noted for their quarrel- 

 some disposition, and I have seen an unruly cock of this 

 breed monopolise a whole loft to himself, preventing, till his 

 removal, the least chance of success in breeding from the 

 birds associated with him. 



Owls, the Oriental frilled varieties, and turbits (the latter 

 in a less degree), are shy and reserved in their demeanour, 

 leaving their nests and young ones on the slightest alarm; 

 but this will be of little consequence if the cause of their 

 disquietude be soon removed, when they will generally return 

 without delay to their nests. 



If pigeons of varied and striking plumage be required, 

 they may be found in archangels, almond tumblers, the 

 Eastern frilled varieties, and in many of the German toys ; 

 contrasts of colour among nuns, magpies, swallows, and 

 such kinds ; while pouters, carriers, short-faced tumblers, barbs, 

 jacobins, fantails, owls, turbits, and trumpeters, present ab- 

 normal conformation, and are denominated high-class pigeons, 

 in distinction from those having little but curious colour 

 and marking, because such conformation is more difficult to 

 produce, and therefore thought more of, when obtained in a 

 high degree, than mere feather. 



Keeping Several Varieties. 



But though a genuine pigeon fancier may have a prefer- 

 ence for some particular variety, he will not be insensible 

 to the beauties of others ; and during an extended career 

 in the fancy, he will most likely become possessed of speci- 

 mens of every kind of fancy pigeon he can obtain. There 

 is always a charm to the fancier in the acquisition of some 

 new variety not previously possessed by him, which is taken 

 up as a kind of extra thing, in addition to the variety on 

 which his fancy is more permanently fixed, and as he 

 tires of it some other novelty will take its place; for, as 

 will be afterwards explained, it is not wise to keep many 



