34 Fancy Pigeons. 



their fliglit, the contrast between the white and coloured part of their 

 plumag-e is very striking-. Pouters, of what might he called a second 

 quality, for the choicest are scarcely to be trusted at large, Norwich 

 croppers, pigmy pouters (such as Austrians and Isobels), and pouting 

 horsemen, or half-bred pouters and carriers, are all capital flyers and 

 sail through the air in fine style. 



The pigeons that become most familiar with their owners are pouters 

 and fantails. It is necessary for the former to become very tamo if 

 intended to be exhibited, as, otherwise, they lose much of their beauty 

 and chance of success in competition. On the other hand, carriers look 

 best wild and alarmed, familiarity on their part spoiling their fine shape 

 and statuesque appearance. 



EiUnts, though they look quiet and sedate in the loft, are often of a 

 spiteful disposition, making the feathers fly by the dozen from birds that 

 happen to encroach on their preserves. 



Carriers are also very vicious, and play sad havoc with each other 

 when they fall out. 



Trumpeters, such as were in England before the so called Russian ones 

 were introduced, were noted for their quarrelsome disposition, and I have 

 seen an unruly cock of this breed monopolise a whole loft to himself, 

 preventing, till his removal, the least chance of success in breeding from 

 the birds associated with him. 



Owls, the Oriental frilled varieties, and turbits, the latter in a less 

 degree, are shy and reserved in their demeanour, leaving their nests and 

 young ones on the slightest alarm ; but this \vill be of little consequence 

 if the cause of their disquietude be soon removed, when they will 

 generally return witliout delay to their nests. 



If pigeons of varied and striking plumage be required, they may be 

 found in archangels, almond tumblers, the eastern frilled varieties, and in 

 many of the German toys ; contrasts of colour among nuns, magpies, 

 swallows and such kinds; while pouters, carriers, short faces, barbs, 

 jacobins, fantails, owls, tiirbits, and trumpeters present abnormal confor- 

 mation, and are denominated high-class pigeons, in distinction from those 

 having little but curious colour and marking, because such conformation 

 is more difficult to produce, and therefore thought more of when obtained 

 in a high degree than mere feather. 



But though a genuine pigeon fancier may have a preference for some 



