130 



368. The clean-footed are small active Pigeons, about the size and make of Dove- 

 house Pio^eons, and they field well ; their plumage is white, excepting the wing shoul- 

 ders, which are coloured like the Turbit Pigeon. 



369. Those with slippers or feathers on their feet are rather larger, _ their necks 

 shorter, and their breasts and back broader ; but, owing to their heavily-feathered 

 feet, are not well adapted for finding their own food in the fields : they are marked like 

 the smooth-footed ones, with either black, blue, red or yellow shoulders, and have 

 generally white wing-bars. 



THE GULL PIGEON. 



370. I have seen in London individuals of a variety of Pigeon by the above name 

 both living and stuffed : in appearance they were large, runtish-looking birds, smooth, 

 headed and clean-footed ; their plumage being white, with the exception of the wings 

 and scapular feathers, which were black ; the marginal pinion feather, however, was 

 white, which marking exactly resembled that of the large black-backed Sea Gull, so 

 common on our coasts, and from this circumstance they derive their name of Gull 

 Pigeons, 



PIGEONS. 



371. Many people view Pigeons only as ingredients for a pie, and do not think any 

 more of those beautiful birds they see started after the race on the Derby day than 

 they did of those they devoured on the course for luncheon. TVith sharpers fools 



,re called Pigeons, although I do not think the resemblance striking, as any Pigeon- 

 ceeper knows they are generally exceedingly wary and cautious. They have been do- 

 inestic pets from time immemorial, and have been made use of in various ways, from 

 carrying the letter of an emperor to participating in the tricks of a street conjuror. 

 They have, from their diversity of colour, shape, and characteristics, occasioned 

 many disputes and arguments as to their genealogy, and many scientific men differ as 

 to whether they be descended from one common stock. Of late years the " Fancy'' has 

 been in a languishing state, and almost confined to the lower ranks of society ; but the 

 institution of exhibitions, and the premiums given for good specimens, aided by the 

 real beauty of the birds themselves, have tended much to raise them in the estimation 

 of Poultry Fanciers, 



372. There are many who, if they could would keep fowls, but cannot for want of 

 space ; to these. Pigeons may form a substitute, and a cheap one, too. There are so 

 many sorts of Pigeons, and they are of such difierent temperaments and habits, that 

 the amatuer may provide himself with pets of a kindred spirit to his own. If he be of 

 a go-a-head nature, there is the Carrier ; is he volatile, there's the Tumbler ; if he be an 

 anchorite, he may have Capuchins and Owls for his companions ; is he fond of female 

 society, he can have plenty of Nuns ; or is he of a warlike nature, he can have Trum- 

 peters and Helmets ; if he is sulky, he may keep company with Pouters : in fact, almost 

 all dispositions may find a Pigeon to agree with them, if only in one point — that of 

 name. 



373. All manufacturing people cultivate Pigeons ; in Spitalfields, Birmingham, Man- 

 chester, and in Belgium, great numbers of first-rate birds are kept. 



374. There are three classes of people keep Pigeons. Pigeon Fanciers, Pigeon 

 Breeders, and people who sufi'er a few mongrels to fly about their premises, and, in a 

 great measure, get their own living. Pigeon Fanciers are those who, from the love of 

 the birds themselves, cherish thetn for them for their beauty, and keep the different 

 varieties in various shades of perfection. 



375. The Pigeon Breeders are those who have large dove-cots, and supply the mar- 

 kets, Pigeon-shootings, &c. There is an immense number of young Pigeons imported 

 from France for London consumption, and the fact that, at prices as low as six, seven, 

 and eight shillings per dozen, it pays a Frenchman to send young Pigeons to England, 

 proves that large numbers may be profitably reared at a small expense. 



376. Farmers are very often involuntary Pigeon keepers, although I do not think 

 that there is as much harm done by these birds in the fields as is placed to their account. 

 Mr. St. John, in his excellent work entitled '' Highland Sports," mentions that he 



