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CHAPTER VII. 

 THE FAVOURITES OF THE FANCY. 



I. 



THE ALMOND TUMBLER. 



The Almond Tumbler occupies the throne of 

 supremacy in the Pigeon kingdom, and it bears 

 its honours with becoming dignity and ease. 

 The Pouter has his admirers, so has the Carrier, 

 but the Almond is the "worthy chief" of the 

 " wondrous three." Where is its peer ? It is 

 a prince of beauty, a paragon of comeliness, a 

 banquet of splendour. Can you find another bird 

 radiant in such magnificent clothing ; of carriage 

 so courtly, and manners so engaging ? The 

 Pouter's plumage is a thing of daubs and patches. 

 Its legs are models of deportment — encased in 

 feathery breeches, terminating in an amplitude 

 of Indian moccasin enveloping the entire foot in 

 feathers. When standing on its block at full 

 poise, the Pouter reminds me of Mr. Pickwick 

 perched on his chair, dressed in elongated swal- 



