220 PKiEONS AM) ALL ALOFT TOKM. 



THE FLYING HOMER. 



I NOW take uji the pigeuu that is ptihaiis creating more 

 excitement lo-(hiy than is any other breed. Not only 

 are its wonderful jiowers being turned to use in civil and 

 military lite ; not only is it used as a "sporting" bird, just as 

 the ratje lierse is used, but, through its low price, it is being 

 ditseminated all over this land, and is being kept by untold 

 numbers of liudding fanciers who want something a litt'e 

 better than the common pigeon, and yet cannot aft'ord to 

 handle the high priced varieties. 



Again, it is so hardy, so strong, so easily kept, (needing no 

 more attention tlian the common ]jigeon) and such are its 

 breeding powers, and its care of its young, thai it is no won- 

 der that Homers are to be seen in almost every little village 

 in the country. 



Outside of the general characteristics, the Homer is not 

 bred for feather, tcir body, skull, beak, or even size, excejit 

 that it should be large enough to be vigoi'ous. 



Some of the greatest Hyers have been rather small and 

 delicate looking birds tliat have easily surpassed other bird^ 

 which have seemed to show every pnint bred tn the liighest 

 perfection. 



Take the average basket of Homers that IS sent to an Ex. 

 press ottice for liberation, and no num, no matter how care- 

 fully he may look theni over, can express a com))etent o])in- 

 ion as to which is the best liird. 



But the working Homer is not ]iroduced without due care, 

 and the greatest regard to lieredity. It is to a iiroduciut; uf 

 the instinct, nr the eye siylit and memory, or whatever we 

 may decide it to be, to which the good fancier direets his 

 attention. 



