DOMESTIC PIGEONS 263 



white Fan-tail. The birds should be kept hungry, so that 

 when the Fan-tail is thrown up they quickly learn to asso- 

 ciate its appearance with food and are not long in descend- 

 ing. Food is the rod that commands obedience, and through 

 its judicious use absolute control may be maintained. 



Rollers are bred in all colors and of all markings. The 

 latter in general approach those of Show Tumblers, such as 

 Balds, Beards, Badges, Saddles, etc., but no attention is 

 paid to details. Both bull and pearl eyes are found, as well 

 as clear legs and boots. Flying and rolling are the only 

 points that interest the Roller breeder. 



The West of England Tumbler has been developed 

 for flying, as the Roller has for performing. That the two 

 breeds are closely allied cannot be denied by any one who 

 is familiar with both, for they cannot be distinguished by 

 sight. The " West " is a true high and long flyer, kits hav- 

 ing been flown for twelve hours or more. Some individuals 

 do not tumble, but most make a single, very rapid turn. 

 Any heavy tumbling or rolling would not be tolerated in a 

 kit, because of the detrimental effect on the flying. The 

 West of England Tumbler is the bird that should be used 

 by those who favor high flying and long time, as well as a 

 ^ little performing. The West occurs in the same colors and 

 markings as the Roller. 



The Parlor Tumbler has the acrobatic tendency so well 

 developed that it is unable to fly. It offers excellent evidence 

 of the existence of a psychological factor in tumbling, for 

 at the slightest incitement it somersaults. A good bird is 

 not able to rise from the floor, and at the slightest effort to 

 do so tumbles. Parlors are divided into three groups: 

 singles, which go over once; doubles, which go over twice 

 in succession, and rollers, which roll backward on the floor, 

 often until stopped by an obstacle. Singles and doubles 

 must turn cleanly, close to the floor, and without bumping 



