Chapter VII. 



X EXHIBITING PIGEONS. X> 

 Antiquity of Pigeon Shows. 



1 IGEON stows have probably been established 

 in England for as long a period as any 



shows for the exhibition and comparison of 

 fancy stock. The " Ordinances for Judging 

 Almond Tumblers" date back to 1764, and it 

 is likely that, long before then, the pigeon fanciers of the 

 Metropolis had their meetings for the comparison of their 

 pigeons. Before the days of railways, such meetings could 

 only take place in some large centre, near to which there were 

 resident many breeders, and an instance of this kind may 

 be found in Lancashire, where shows for the exhibition of 

 gold and silver mooney fowls have existed for time out of 

 mind. 



Modern Show System. 



The show system of the present day has sprung up during 

 the lifetime of the present generation, and some of the 

 principal exhibitions draw together birds and their owners 

 from all parts of the country. The chief of these meetings are 



