88 THE PIGEON-FANCIER. 



" Married life, with its duties and responsi- 

 bilities, together with the charge of an increasing 

 family and slender means, put aside for many 

 years the fulfilment of my cherished purpose — 

 Pigeon-culture; but the spark early kindled 

 never died out. The long-deferred opportunity 

 welcomely came. In i86o business brought 

 me into contact with an old Fancier of the 

 Almond, and being by him shown some very 

 fine specimens, I determined to commence breed- 

 ing at once, and have continued so to do to the 

 present time. Soon after this, being introduced 

 by a member, I paid a visit one night to the 

 Feather Club. Nothing but Tumblers were 

 shown on this occasion — Almonds, Mottles, and 

 shortfaced Beards. I was much surprised after 

 the introduction to find myself in the company 

 of gentlemen, having up to this period enter- 

 tained the notion that whatever interest there 

 might be in Pigeons, the company of those called 

 Pigeon- Fanciers was not desirable. I was agree- 

 ably disappointed. After a few visits I became 

 a member. At the time of my joining, the 

 Feather Club consisted of but few members; 

 however, they were a select few, with whom I 

 am still proud to have been associated. I can 

 look back over a gulf of time, quarter of a 



