54 National Standard Sqnab Book. 



01- live pairs of s(|iiabs' a ,vi';ir, and if ii.-iudU'rs of iiiK HocUs of uommon 

 pigeons-, like .lohiisoii of ( 'alifoiiiia ran make a Met iirotit of $1 per jiair 

 a year from siuli low lireeders. we tliink aii.vliody of no e.\i)erieuee is 

 justilied in believing oar statement that our Homers are eaiial)le of earu- 

 tug a net profit of Ironi $.2 to $3 per pair a year, taking into aceonut not 

 only theii' fast iireediug (iiialities. but the superior size of the squabs. 

 ITeie in Xev\ Englaml we ron,sidi<i' the enminon pigeons ineonstaut auil 

 liappy-go-lueky iirei'ders. In the vernacular of the squab breeder they 

 are <-Mlk-d an epithet whieli is appli'-d to a female of ua morals. They 

 are not in the same class at all with the Ilouu'r pigeon. 



The eiuiunon pigeon, the pigeon M'hich flies rhe streets of our cities auil 

 towns. IS a mixture id' all kinils of pigeons, ami it partakes of the faults 

 of each, and not of tlie virtues. Its outward appearance is large, but it 

 is an effect of feathers ami not <>( fli'sh. Its feathers are loose ami fluffy 

 auil its muscles soft and flabby. Its head is smaller than that of a 

 Homer, the defiiiency in iug marked in the curve of the skull which 

 covers the brain. The IIouum- has the lar.gest brain ol' an.v variety of 

 pigeon, anii discloses this fact by its behavior. It has more sense and 

 behaves with more lintelli.gi'uce. Its wonderful hriming instinct marks 

 it above ami beyond all classes of pig"ous ami it is this qualify whicli 

 gives it a coniniei-cial value all ovr the world. The feathers of the 

 Homer are laid close liki' .a woman's gli>\e and the muscles under it feel 

 as hard and firm as a ]iiece ot wood. Its breast is firm and well pro- 

 tected, A\'iih .iiist the right amount of fullness. Its chest is large, indicat- 

 ing good bin^- power and slaying qualities. Its wings are trim and 

 shaiicl.\'. ill tliglu the poetry of motion. ^Idie poise of its body and head 

 reminds luie of a racehorse listening for the signal to speed over thi> 

 course. The lines from the neck to the boii,\' licsceud in a long, grace- 

 ful s\vce|.. Put a tliorniiL'hbred Homer into a flock of common pigeons 

 and ercii a novice, if tohl to pick our the bird which would fly the fastest 

 and fiu'lest, would pick out the Homer. The Homer has a long bill (Ijut 

 not so long as the I)rai;oou pigeon). The bill of fhe common pigeon i.1 

 short. Its bill is more hooked and is sharper i)ointed. Its head is shorter 

 and more rounding on toji. 



The common pigeon is seldom bred in c:ipti\it,\", because it does not pay 

 for the grain i\'hicli it consumr's. If bred in a wild state, it picks up a 

 living in the neighboi hood, the owner not keeping it wired in. It is the 

 cheapest kind of a pigeon, and thoiisauds of pairs are used by trap shoot- 

 ers. T'ndertakers sometimes buy the white common pigeons in order to 

 liberate them at graves, to signify the ascent of the soul to heaven. Com- 

 mon pigeons will live anywhei-e. do not get atfaeheil to any 'home, but a 

 Homer never forgets the place where it was bred and will search out its 

 home in long flights. Oomnion pigeons Avill alight on any bnildiag and 

 will drink from different springs and wells, fouling them and making 

 themselves a nuisance in a neighborhood. The Honnn- will alight only 

 on its own squaii house ami drink only av its own home. Common pigeons 



