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CHAPTER V. 



THE DUTIES OF A FANCIER. 



One delightful benefit my Pigeons confer upon 

 me — they have trained me to become an early 

 riser in the summer months, for which I am 

 grateful. To unbolt the door and step out into 

 the garden at 6.30 is an achievement I am 

 proud to place to my credit. The air is so fresh 

 and pure and soft at that early hour, and so full 

 of the perfume from the flowers, and redolent of 

 the odours of the bleeding grass upon which 

 nimble young feet have romped overnight. And 

 the birds sing and twitter so cheerily in the 

 trees, and dive swiftly and gracefully through 

 the air in search of provender, that these en- 

 gaging sights and sounds peculiar to early 

 morning are quite exhilarating, and engage my 

 mind with reverent and happy thoughts whilst 

 busy in the aviary. 



