THE PIGEON BOOK ^g 



The unfortunate part of it is that in a man's own loft 

 he often views his birds with an exaggerated eye — all his 

 ducks have the appearance of being swans. When, how- 

 ever, he pens these birds at a show he gets a rude awaken- 

 ing. Side by side with their more elegant brothers shown 

 by old and experienced hands their faults become much 

 more evident. 



The cheapest and best method for a fancier to gain 

 knowledge is to join a local association or Columbarian 

 society which holds monthly competitive shows. Although 

 the quality met here may not be equal to that met in open 

 competition, still by meeting fancier exhibitors and com- 

 paring notes much valuable information may be gained. 



In order to stand a chance of gaining prizes at shows 

 the birds must have some education at home, and for this 

 purpose no loft for fancy pigeons is complete without 

 some exhibition -pens are fitted up in which the birds can 

 be educated to stand and show themselves. In the case 

 of Pouters, Pigmy Pouters, Norwich Croppers, and Fan- 

 tails some time needs to be spent in training them for 

 the pen. The Pouter should be taught to blow and dis- 

 tend its crop, a small block of wood being used in the 

 pens so that the birds show their girth and thighs to 

 advantage. The Fantail must be taught to shake and 

 carry its bead well back, keeping its tail well carried at 

 the same time. There is, in fact, no variety that does not 

 improve under a little home training, and it is frequently 

 in this respect that the old hand gains such a pull over 

 the beginner. His birds are taught to stand in the pen 

 like models, and although it may be not possessing better 

 points than some of the others, these through lack of 

 training do not get justice done to them. 



During a long and varied experience of judging in all 

 varieties I have often been surprised and even disgusted 



