58 



JOURNAL OF HOKTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENEB. 



[ January 19, 1571. 



and signifies sueh by the award of a prize. Thus onr exhi- 

 bitions are frequently looked upon, from the fancier's point of 

 view, as mere lotteries— scrambles for honour, or gain, or both, 

 with a result far more gratifying to the wondering visitor than 

 it is to those more intimately concerned. And it is to this 

 reasonable cause, we think, may be attributed the fact that 

 many staunch fanciers fall out of the ranks of exhibitors ; and 

 that others less skilled or educated in Pigeonology are deterred 

 from taking part in so hazardous a speculalion, and therefore 

 either ride their little hobby in obscurity, or content themselves 

 ■with such many-coloured spangled mongrels as may be seen 

 upon our English farmsteads or at the poultry-shops in our 



busy towns, rather than submit to change of fashion or the 

 various flights of fancy to which, as exhibitors, they are so 

 often subjected. 



We must not be supposed to be taking to task as referring to 

 any of our qualified judges individually or collectively, for to 

 all persons so engaged we would give our hearty support, and 

 would strive to obtain for them the utmost freedom for their 

 candid views, and also the greatest forbearance for their mis- 

 takes, for to such errors the most zealous fanciers or experienced 

 judges are liable. In no variety is there greater allowance 

 necessary than in the judging of a number of pens of Fantails, 

 for in their carriage and deportment it may be truly said they are 



as changeable as the shade, and in consequence due allowance 

 should be made. It is simply our desire to settle great points 

 and merge Vitttc differences, in order to bring about a better 

 understanding amongst fanciers and judges with regard to this 

 general favourite. 



The following description, then, is the result of our careful 

 stndy. * 



Fantails, as all fanciers are aware, and as most of your 

 readers will guess, take their name from the peculiar fan-like 

 shape of their tails, and which is, of ciurse, one of the most 

 important points in the bird, and to which the fancier should 

 direct special attention. But it must also be borne in mind 

 that the Fautail possesses other peculiarities besides its con- 

 spicuous tail. It has an eccentric shaking motion of the neck, 

 which has been thought much of by some fanciers — so much, 

 indeed, that this characteristic was once sought for as an es'i- 

 mable point, and in preference to a large and expansive fan. 

 By such admirers they were called " Broad-tailed Shakers." 



There have been many strange tales told about this kind of 

 bird which we pass over without notice, but two of the most 



remarkable we think it well to refer to, as they proceed from 

 eminent naturalists, and may mislead those who seek instruc- 

 tion from such writers. From one of the abovenamed sources 

 we learn that " The Fantail is capable of expanding and closing 

 its tail like," says one, " the Turkey," and another " the Pea- 

 cock." Bat this notion must be imaginary ; it is contrary to 

 fact, for the Fantail does not even possess the same power over 

 its tail as do the other varieties, for the Fantail cannot close 

 its tail, but can only control the membrane upon which the 

 feathers grow in an upward, downward, and sideway motion,, 

 which does not influence the spread of the fan in any way. 



Another peculiarity noticeable in this variety is, that in its 



shaking motion it stands upon its toes, and by its backward 



jerking also a person unaccustomed to them might suppose it 



would topple over backward ; but as a rule, notwithstanding 



I the extent to which the birds throw back their heads, 1 hey should 



I be able to maintain their equilibrium gracefully, and carry 



erect and at ease the expansive fans with which they are 



, adorned, and by which they are partially overshadowed. 



Fantails are, generally speaking, of a strong and vigorous 



