CHAPTER VII. 



EXHIBITING PIGEONS. 



PiriEON shows have probably been established in England for as long 

 a period as any shows for the exhibition and comparison of such fancy 

 stock. The "ordinances for judging almond tumblers" date back to 

 1704, and it is likely that long before this time, the pigeon fanciers of 

 the metropolis had their meetings for the comparison of their pigeons. 

 Before the days of railways, such meetings could only take place in 

 some large centre, near to which there were resident many breeders, and 

 an instance of this kind may be found in Lancashire, where shows for 

 the exhibition of gold and silver moonoy fowls have existed for time 

 ont of mind. The show system of the present day has sprung up during 

 the lifetime of the present generation, and some of the principal 

 exhibitions draw together birds and their owners from all over the 

 country. The chief of these meetings are the events of the year in the 

 pigeon fancy, and determine who are the owners or breeders of the beat 

 specimens of each respective variety. Fanciers look forward to them 

 as opportunities for meeting such aa are like-minded with themselves ; 

 where they may compare their own stock with that of others ; dispose 

 of the good birds they have for sale, and purchase such others aa they 

 may be in need of themselves. A visit to at least one of the cliief shows 

 in each season is beneficial to the fancier in many ways, and may either 

 confirm him in his good opinion of his own birds, or enlighten him aa 

 to their demerits ; for it is often the case when one stays too much at 

 home, that he insensibly contracts exaggerated ideas of his own birds, 

 having no opportunity of seeing the progress made by others. 



There are now a great number of shows held every year in this country, 



