Chapter X. 



X COMMON PIGEONS. x> 

 Rock Pigeons. 



j OMMON pigeons, strictly speaking, are rock or 

 dovehouse pigeons, as found in a state of 

 nature, or in a semi-wild state. I have 

 already referred to them elsewhere, and have 

 only to add that in the West of Scotland they 

 are bred by pigeon fanciers, who have a class for their 

 favourites at the annual show held in the town of Kilmar- 

 nock. Looking, as I have often done, at the class at this 

 show, which generally includes over a dozen entries of blues 

 and blue chequers, I have felt that I would rather not have 

 the responsibility of awarding the prizes, the birds appear so 

 very much alike. When a breed comes to be produced, as 

 they are, for size, good shape, and purity of colour and type, 

 they must necessarily cease to be regarded as quite common, 

 and would more truly be designated as fancy rock, or dove- 

 house pigeons. 



Common Pigeons. 



Common pigeons are generally understood to be those of 



