70 PIGEONS AND THE PIGEON FANCY; 



Many pigeon or columbarian societies, for the promo- 

 tion of the fancy, exist in this country and in Europe. In 

 London, at the present day, there is the National Periste- 

 ronic Society, which consists of one hundred members, 

 and which holds an annual exhibition at the Crystal Pal- 

 ace. Of course there are multitudes of local societies. 



The premiums and the notoriety offered by exhibitions 

 afford the special inducements to fanciers to breed for 

 points of excellence. The prizes are awarded by judges ; 

 and upon the standards adopted by the society, and the 

 discretion of the judges depends, in some degree, what 

 characteristics shall be demanded in certain varieties. 

 So that, while the general character of a variety remains 

 the same year after year, requirements as to minor points 

 are constantly being modified. This subject sometimes 

 gives rise to controversy. 



[In describing the principal varieties of fancy pigeons, 

 the speaker referred to the pictures upon the stage, and 

 was not confined to manuscript. His remarks, somewhat 

 abridged, were as follows.] 



The Pouter is, in my opinion, the king of fancy pigeons, 

 although this term has been applied to the carrier. The 

 unsophisticated are apt to call him ugly, and at first sight 

 he does bear a top-heavy look. But when we learn that 

 his huge ball is simply inflated with air, he seems the 

 lighter for it. Pouters are more cosseted and petted 

 than any fancy pigeon. They are made very tame, 

 handled often, stroked upon the back, and taught to 

 " blow, " and trip about or " play" as it is called, when ad- 

 dressed by the peculiar call which pouter fanciers utter. 

 He is the most human pigeon, often assuming a nearly erect 

 position, is intelligent, responsive, social, good-natured, 

 comical. One comes to consider him a playful, sly 

 rogue, ready for a frolic. If he does not swell up when 



