250 BIRDS 



of communication, the " Pigeon Post " was of the greatest 

 value. Even now Homers are frequently used as messengers 

 when other means are not available. 



The practice of exhibiting Flying Homers has led to the 

 formation of several derivatives, which are valued purely 

 as show birds, and are not used for flying. The oldest and 

 best known of these is the Show Homer. This is the largest 

 of the Homer breeds, and undoubtedly contains generous 

 infusions of Scandaroon, Antwerp and perhaps other blood. 

 Its chief characteristic is the head, which is very long and 

 presents in profile a perfect curve from the crown to the tip 

 of the beak. The latter is stout, straightly set and black 

 in color. The wattle is smooth and neat, conforming to 

 the curve of the head. The eye is white or pearl, sur- 

 rounded by a small, fine cere of dark shade. 



An intermediate type is known in America as the Ex- 

 hibition Homer. It is smaller than the Show Homer, with 

 cobby body and short flights, while the head from crown to 

 tip of beak is flat and straight in profile, instead of full 

 and curved. Its other points are similar. In England, 

 where these breeds originated, a rather absurd situation has 

 arisen, through dissension among their various followers. 

 It thus happens that the bird just described is known there 

 as the Exhibition Flying Homer, while a very similar breed, 

 with less exaggerated head points, is known as the Genuine 

 Flying Homer. Since the two sorts are almost identical, 

 and neither, in spite of reassuring titles, may in any sense 

 be considered a true flying bird, the American solution seems 

 the only way out of the difficulty. 



The Antwerp 



Another descendant of the Flying Homer is the modem 

 Antwerp. It should not be confused with the Flying Homer, 



