140 THE PRACTICAL PIGEON KEEPER. 



for a week or fortnight, always getting them in directly tliey 

 return. The Dragoons -will, teadi them their way about, and 

 after that should be shut up or parted with, as longer com- 

 panionship might spoil the Tumblers. The subsequent training 

 will proceed as before. One or two Cumulets, if they can be 

 got, win be useful in getting the Tumblers to fly high. 



To recapitulate briefly, the principles of training are simply 

 these : — 1. They are only let out at first every three or four 

 days, in order that the confinement may dispose them to fly 

 actively directly they are liberated. As that habit is confirmed 

 they are let out oftener, till they may have a morning and 

 evening fly, if convenient, every day. 2. They are let out 

 fasting, in order that they may return instantly the disposition 

 to exertion is over ; and fed immediately to keep up this habit. 

 The reasons for feeding lightly after the morning fly are 

 obvious, as also for never liberating them when there are other 

 birds about to tempt them to pitch — at least, iii the early stagea 

 Beyond this system, nothing is necessary beyond weeding out 

 all unsatisfactory or lazy birds. It may, however, be remarked 

 that all this training is directed towards " flying " simply ; the 

 tumbling is developed as the young bird grows, and if the stock 

 be good will come of itself by association and habit. 



In exhibiting Tumblers the chief points are, of course, 

 purity and richness of colour and regularity of markings. 



CHAPTER XL 



POUTERS. 



There is little doubt as to the origin of this pigeon, though it 

 has given rise to some dispute. Moore, who describes the 

 English Fouter in 1735 precisely as we do, distinctly states 

 that it was bred by crossing the " Dutch Cropper" to a Horse- 



