TO THE 



YOUNG AND INEXPERIENCED FANCIER 



OF THE 



ALMOND TUMBLEE. 



The Btudy and science of the Almond Tumbler is productive of a great amount 

 of pleasure, and in the present day there are many gentlemen of highly cultivated 

 minds, have proved by their engagement in the breeding and rearing, sparing 

 neither pains or expense, have fostered and cultivated, with the utmost care, this 

 truly beautiful pigeon called the Almond Tumbler. That it is a science well 

 worthy the attention of those who might be induced to engage in this delightful 

 recreation or fancy. 



My object in publishing this Treatise on the breeding and rearing the Almond 

 Tumbler.is to plaoeit in the hands of the youngFancier, who is desirous of cultivating 

 a knowledge, and endeavouring still further to improve their beauties ; at the 

 same time, I am fully sensible that there is not a copy of a work, worthy to be 

 placed in the hands of the young Fancier, can be obtained without the utmost 

 difficulty, owing to their being out of print. At one time I should have hesitated 

 at the thought of writing upon so difficult a subject, for it requires a very nice 

 judgment to form a true estimate of the Almond Tumbler; and, it must be con- 

 fessed, they labour under the greatest disadvantage in not having their perfections 

 and properties properly understood by the gentlemen of the Pigeon Fancy in general. 

 Being fully aware of the great disadvantages that some of the young Fanciers 

 residing in some parts of the country labour under, not having the advantages of 

 attending societies and seeing and examining the birds that are put into the 

 penns on show days, and joining in cheerful conversation with experienced Fanciers, 

 who are both able and willing to instruct, by pointing out what are good 

 properties and what are bad in a bird ; under these circumstances this treatise 

 will not be unacceptable to the young Fancier, provided he has made up his mind 

 to be a Fancier and rank A. 1. ; he must carefully read, mark, learn, and inwardly 

 digest what is written in this treatise, to guide his judgment, for as there is 

 no royal road to learning, so there is no possibility of gaining a thorough knowledge 

 of the Almond Tumbler but from long study and experience. 



I shall here endeavour to rivet, as it were, on the minds of those who- will 

 engage in this delightful study, some great facts ; the first thing especially to be 

 attended to, is the selection of really good birds — they should be young, healthy, 

 vigorous, and bred from as pure and good a stud or strain as can be obtained. From 

 the highly artificial state of the Almond Tumbler in the present day, there is a 

 tendency to degenerate, or throw back, as it is termed in the Fancy. For even 

 when good birds are put together, they do not invariably throw birds equal to 

 those they are bred from ; but if inferior birds are matched together, the produce 

 must necessarily be unworthy the attention of a Fancier. Nonpareils will not 

 always produce nonpareils, but nonpareils cannot be expected from inferior birds. 

 Much attention and great care are necessary with these birds to insure success ; 

 especially if the young Fancier raises a standard in his mind to surpass those who 

 have tried before him, and has made up his mind not to rank second best ; but 

 the satisfaction of producing the best bird must be very great, and will amply 

 repay him for all the care and labour that has been expended. 



There are many gentlemen now engaged in breeding and rearing the Almond 

 Tumbler, and the amateur has an opportunity of obtaining superior birds to 

 commence with, ana which is so indispensable to insure success. This he may do, 

 by following the remarks made in this treatise, and the information he may obtain 



