VARIETIES THE FANCY. 155 



I believe, have had a club, in which premiums are 

 awarded, and the notable science of the fancy, 

 through the medium of crossing colours and forms, 

 is promoted and perpetuated. The chief objects of 

 the fancy have hitherto been those varieties styled 

 ALMOND (probably ermine) TUMBLERS, CARRIERS, 

 and the birds with great crops, the most fashionable 

 variety of which is the POUTING HORSEMAN. The 

 specific merits of these breeds are indicated by their 

 names. The tumbler exercises that faculty in the 

 air, but is chiefly valued for his peculiar form and 

 variegated plumage. The carrier, as a messenger, 

 cuts the air with almost inconceivable swiftness. 

 This is the Columba tabettaria, the famous carrier, 

 or messenger, between Aleppo and Alexandria in 

 Egypt. The pouter distends his crop to a size at- 

 tractive to curiosity, and by his grotesque attitudes 

 and familiarity with man, engages his attention. 



Upwards of half a century past, the pigeon FANCY 

 was in higher estimation and prosperity in this 

 country than at present ; and the almond tumbler 

 was then in the greatest vogue ; sums, probably to 

 the amount of twenty or thirty guineas each, being 

 the price of superior cocks of that breed, such as, 

 at the present time, would not produce more than 

 five. The pigeon shops generally seem the abode 

 of poverty and misery, of which the poor unfortu- 

 nate birds, crammed into baskets and narrow coops, 

 obviously partake in the fullest measure. This 

 fancy is a great favourite with certain of the lower 

 classes in the metropolis, and perhaps too generally 

 injurious to their better interests. Their common 

 H 6 



