CHAPTER IV. 



SELECTION OF STOCK. 



In the selection of stock the pigeon fancier has many varieties' to choose 

 from. Not only do the forms of pigeons vary mnoh, but their plumage 

 is diversified to an extraordinary degree, and the disposition or temper of 

 the birds themselves varies greatly in different breeds. Most, if not aU, 

 who begin pigeon keeping early in life, commence with common kinds, 

 with which they learn the rudiments of the fancy, and so gain the ex- 

 perience necessary to enable them to keep the more choice breeds with 

 success. Of all who do so begin pigeon-keeping, however, but few follow 

 it up in after life, either from want of the necessary accommodation 

 being found in the places to which their destiny may lead them, or, more 

 often, because the pursuit has no real hold on their minds. Whether 

 the fancier begin early or late in Ufe, it is necessary for him to spend some 

 probationary time in mastering the rudiments of hia pursuit, and to do so 

 with expensive birds, the beauties of which he cannot probably realise, is 

 a waste of money, unless he may have some experienced friend often 

 at hand to direct him in their management. 



As a beginning, no better pigeons than common tumblers can be put 

 into the hands of a young fancier. They are neat and tidy in appearance, 

 of varied and beautiful colours, and their performances in the air are a 

 constant source of pleasure to their owners. There are few fanciers, 

 however select their pigeons may be, who, if they can find accommodation 

 for them, fail to keep some pairs of these engaging birds. They breed 

 freely, are very hardy, and are serviceable feeders for other pigeons. 



The pigeons that look best on the wing are those of pronounced 

 markings, such as baldheads, turbits, and nuns. As they wheel round in 



D 



