178 PIGEONS AND ALL ABOUT THKM. 



MUFFED TUMBLERS. 



I AM delighted to see the many fine illustrations of Tumb- 

 lers that have appeared in the Pigeon News in the last 

 few years. 



These photos and cuts are the greatest educators, for no 

 writer can produce with his pen. the same object lesson that 

 is given by a half-tone plate from life. 



In the Tumbler we must necessarily begin with the body, 

 for there is one uniform rule for all. Mark it as we may, 

 Shorten or lengthen its face, muff it, or breed clean, the tyj)- 

 ical tumbler body still remains as the foundation on which 

 we build all these beautiful additions of art. 



The old rule was based on Flying Tumblers, the body 

 which is of medium size, but round, plump, and compact. 



Head round, and with high forehead which comes down 

 sharply to a beak of medium length. Eyes prominent, neck 

 very short and tajiering to a breast that must be very prom- 

 inent, full and broad. 



The shoulders naturally should be very broad for such a 

 sized bird, and the back short. It then runs (juickly to a 

 narrow rump and close tail, over wliich the wings are carried. 

 The legs are short, but strong, and the feet small. 



The above is the typical Tumbler body on which, as I stat- 

 ed, art has put so many additions, and it is this body with 

 which we must begin. 



Therefore in starting a Tumbler loft one should breed first 

 for this type of bird, and experiment as he chooses for the 

 other points. I have read, from what I consider good au- 

 thority, that there is not living to-day, a typical long-muffed 

 Tumbler, that is sound colored and perfectly marked. So it 

 will be seen that oven after a good start in Tumblers, it is a 

 long way to the top of the ladder. 



