The Feather's Practical Piseon Book 



is only by proving them by flying that one can deter- 

 mine their quaUty. There is nothing to indicate this 

 quaUty in their appearance, and for this reason most 

 flocks of high flyers are made up of a motley collection 

 as far as color in concerned, but time and patience will 

 allow of making a collection of similar markings arid 

 color if one so desires, and this should be the aim of a 

 beginner in this class of sports. 



A beautiful flock of Mottles, Bald Heads, Beards, or 

 solid colors is something to be proud of, especially if 

 added to their coloring you can secure good performing 

 qualities. In commencing a flock, procure for your first 

 breeders a few pairs of known good performing powers, 

 for then you can reasonably expect their young to in- 

 herit these qualities. If possible these breeders should 

 be purchased from a point a long distance from your 

 own breeding-place, otherwise, as they possess the hom- 

 ing instinct strong, the same as all good flying pigeons, 

 they will be likely to leave you as soon as released. 

 These old birds you will have to depend upon to train 

 the younger birds, and consequently it is necessary that 

 they should become thoroughly attached to their new 

 home. Kind treatment, regular and careful feeding will 

 do much to accomplish this. Daily exercise in the en- 

 closed area I have previously recommended for all pig- 

 eon-houses or loits will familiarize them with surround- 

 ings, and then when first liberated, which should -lOt b'; 

 until some months have passed after their purchase, 

 they should be "allowed to go and come at will, never 

 startling them nor attempting to prove their flying qual- 

 ities. A week or more of such freedom accustoms them 

 to the lo.cality, and they are ready for their first lessors. 

 It is presumable that during the time they have been 



no 



