65 



(MooEE, p. 97.) — There are many who have not judgment sufficient to discover 

 the beauties and properties of the Pouters — that condemn it on account of the crop, 

 which they say seems an incumbrance to the bird, and appears unnatural. 



(Mayor, p. 100.) — The Fanciers of these birds, by dint of application, indefatigable 

 industry, and great expense, have certainly bred them to a great degree towards per- 

 fection, insomuch that eighteen pairs and a half of them were sold by public auction 

 for ninety-two pounds nine shillings and sixpence, as appears by a paragraph in the Daily 

 Advertiser of Thursday, January 1st, and the day following in the Gazetteer, and 

 London Daily Advertiser of Friday, January 2nd, 1761, which, for the greater satisfac- 

 tion of the reader I shaU here transcribe : — '* On Monday evening last, at the sale of 

 Pouting Pigeons, at Mr, Hat's, the French Horn, in Beach Lane, consisting of 

 eightee pairs and a half of Pigeons, they were sold as follows : — 



£ s. d. 



(Mayoe, p. 101.) Lot 1. One pair 2 12 6 



„ 2. Ditto 2 7 



„ 3. Ditto 2 



„ 4. Ditto 1 17 



„ 5. Ditto 2 12 6 



„ 6. Ditto 3 5 



„ 7. Ditto 3 13 6 



„ 8. Ditto 4 7 



„ 9. Ditto 4 6 



„ 10. Ditto 3 10 



„ 11. Ditto 3 16 



„ 12. Ditto 5 2 



„ 13. Ditto 4 10 



„ 14. Ditto „ 8 



„ 16. Ditto 13 6 



„ 16. Ditto 16 16 



„ 17. Ditto 4 10 



„ 18. A Hen only 5 5 



', 19. One pair 13 



Total £92 9 6 



(Mayob, p. 102.) — He says, "As I was present at the above sale, so I had an 

 opportunity of examining th© birds, some of which were very indifferent ones, and 

 some of them very capital ones indeed — lots 14, 15, 16, and 18 ; to my know- 

 ledge, two pairs of which were afterwards sold for thirty-six Guineas by private con- 

 tract. 



(Mayor, in continuation.) — The Almond Tumblers (at the time these Pigeons 

 were sold) were not arrived at one half of the perfection that they are at this 

 time, and it is the opinion of many, that were the same number of Almond 

 Tuuiblers to be sold now, they would bear a price equal, if not superior to the 

 above. 



(Eaton.) — Mayor, 102. I never knew two pair of Pigeons sold at the same time for 

 36 guineas, although I knew a hen Baldhead sold for ^£25. I have witnessed 20 

 guineas refused for two pair of young Carriers, and know a Gentleman Fancier who 

 gave £30 for three pair of Tumblers. Being at a show, 20 guineas was refused for a 

 pair of yellow-pied Pout-ers. A gentleman set me on to buy them for him. Next 

 morning I waited on the Fancier to whom they belonged, and said, laying all joking 

 aside, what was the lowest he would take for the pair of yellow Pieds. He said he had 

 over and over again refused 10 guineas for the cock ; if the cock was worth 10 guineas, 

 the hen was worth 12 guineas. He woiild not take less than 22 guineas for the pair. 

 Last year a spirited and excellent Fancier of Pigeons offered me 10 guineas each for an 

 Almond cock, a Pout-er cock, and a Carrier cock. I waited upon the Almond, Pouter, 

 and Carrier Fanciers (I acknowledge it was in the breeding season), if they would show 

 me the best birds they would part with. It was useless showing me birds they would 

 not part vsith. I could not obtain an Ahnond cock I could in my conscience send for 

 10 guineas. I was under the necessity of sending one of my own, and charging i;7 10s. 

 E 



