^INTRODUCTION. 



It will not be possible in a work of this description 

 to give descriptive matter of any great length relative 

 to the different varieties, but they will be briefly dealt 

 with in order that a beginner taking an interest in the 

 breeding of pigeons may know the main points of 

 distinction between them, likewise their points of 

 excellence and the most difficult features connected 

 with their breeding. In this matter, as no man is a 

 thorough master breeder of all the varieties, I have 

 called to my aid several of the best-known breeders, 

 who have been good enough to deal with some of 

 the varieties as specialists of these varieties. I have to 

 thank them for the help rendered me in the compila- 

 tion of this book, adding so much to its interest. 



Darwin expresses the opinion that all the varieties 

 of pigeons that have been domesticated trace their 

 origin to the Blue Rock Dove (Columbia Livia), and 

 to establish this fact mentions that if any domesticated 

 variety of the pigeon family is allowed to run to seed 

 without the careful selection of the fancier, distinct 

 features of Columbia Livia are reproduced in them. 



In a small handbook of this description, it will not 

 be found possible to trace the different varieties to 

 their source, or to deal at any considerable length 

 with the crossings that have been used by fanciers to 

 improve or modify a variety. All manner of breeds 

 have been used by the skilled fancier for this purpose, 

 so cleverly in some cases as to leave little or no trace 

 of their use, but I am convinced that there is hardly 

 a variety in existence to-day in which a cross of some 

 other variety has not been used to beautify it — it may 

 be in colour, shape, or marking. 



