The Feather's Practical Pigeon Book 



sary marking of the head and throat, the perfect number 

 of flights in each wing, and the necessary number of 

 colored tail-feathers free from blemish. Some become 

 so infatuated as to desire to possess specimens of all the 

 diiiferent varieties. This involves not only great ex- 

 pense, but requires spacious accommodations and help 

 to care for them. Such a hobby soon runs its course, 

 and the fancier, if he does not wholly relinquish the 

 amusement, settles down on one or two pretty varieties, 

 and finds that time devoted to developing their good 

 qualities is time much more satisfactorily spent than 

 when divided among so many. 



The question is often asked, also, who comprise your 

 fanciers ? are they all boys ? For this seems like a boyish 

 amusement. But no, the fanciers are as varied in age 

 and occupation as the pigeons themselves. We have 

 physicians, lawyers, clergymen, merchants, gentlemen 

 of leisure, shoe-makers, carpenters, blacksmiths, labor- 

 ers, and boys of all ages. There is no restriction placed 

 upon converts to this fancy ; it is a free-for-all amuse- 

 ment, and all that is needed is the love for it and the 

 wherewithal to gratify such a love or taste. So like- 

 wise the accommodations are as varied as the votaries 

 of the pleasure. Some are satisfied with a few boxes 

 placed against a wall ; others, again, with the gable end 

 of a house, or barn, and others spend hundreds of dol- 

 lars in elaborately-arranged and furnished aviaries, 

 where the pigeons are supplied with every luxury that 

 they have a love for, and where friends and visitors can 

 sit and enjoy their many pretty ways, and varied forms 

 and plumage. But be the accommodations humble or 

 magnificent, the enjoyment obtained is as great for one 

 as for the other. The poor man's pets have as many at- 

 tractions for him as do the more favored ones of the 



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