ALMOND TUMBLER. 



By JOHN MATTHEWS EATON. 



AH that a Man knows, or ever will know, 

 Is by Observation or Reflection." 



Looks. 



401. The study and science of the Almond Tumbler, is productive of a great amount of 

 pleasure, in the present day there are many gentlemen of highly cultivated minds, have 

 proved by their engagement in breeding and rearing, sparing neither pains or expense, 

 have fostered and cultivated, with the utmost care, this truly beautiful Pigeon called the 

 Almond Tumbler. That it is a science well worthy the attention of those who might 

 be induced to engage in this delightful recreation or fancy. 



402. My object in pubhshing this treatise on breeding and rearing the Almond 

 Tumbler, is to place it in the hands of the young Fancier, who is desirous of cultivating 

 a knowledge, and endeavouring still further to improve their beauties ; I am sensible 

 there is not a copy of a work, worthy to be placed in the hands of the young Fancier, 

 can be obtained without the utmost difficulty, owing to their being out of print. At 

 one time, I should have hesitated at the thought of writing upon so difficult a subject, 

 it requires a very nice judgment to form a true estimate of the Almond Tumbler ; it 

 must be confessed, they labour under the greatest disadvantages in not having their 

 perfections and properties properly understood by gentlemen of the Pigeon Fancy in 

 general. Being sensible of the disadvantages some young Fanciers residing in parts of 

 the country labour under, not having the advantages of attending societies, seeing and 

 examining birds that are put in pens on show days, and joining in cheerful conversation 

 with experienced Fanciers, who are able and willing to instruct, by pointing out what 

 are good properties and what are bad in a bird ; under these circumstances this treatise 

 will not be unacceptable to the young Fancier, provided he has made up his mind to 

 be a Fancier and rank A. 1. ; he must carefully read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest 

 what is written to guide his judgment, as there is no royal road to learning, so there is 

 no possibility of gaining a thorough knowledge of the Almond Tumbler, but from long 

 study and experience. 



403. I shall endeavour to rivet, on the minds of those who will engage in this de • 

 lightful study, some great facts ; the first thing especially to be attended to, is the se- 

 lection of really good birds — they should be young, healthy, vigoroxis, bred from as pure 

 and good a stud or strain as can be obtained. From the highly artificial state of the 

 Almond Tumbler in the present day, there is a tendency to degenerate, or throw back, 

 as it is termed in the Fancy. For even when good birds are put together they do not 

 invariably throw birds equal to those they are bred from ; if inferior birds are matched 

 together, the produce mxist necessarily be unworthy the attention of a Fancier. Non- 

 pareils will not always produce nonpareils, but nonpareils cannot be expected from 

 inferiors birds. Much attention and great care are necessary with these birds to insure 

 success ; especially if the young Fancier raises a standard ia his mind to surpass those 

 who have tried before him, has made up his mind not to rank second best ; the satisfac- 

 tion of producing the best bird must be very great, and will amply repay him for all the 

 care and labour that has been expended. 



404. There are many gentlemen now engaged in breeding and rearing the Almond 

 Tumbler ; tbe amateur has an opportunity of obtaining superior bmls to commence with, 

 which is indispensable to insure success. This he may do, by following the remarks 

 made in this treatise, and the information he may obtain among his brother Fanciers. 



