94 THE PIGEON-FANCIER. 



rarity is attributable to the difficulty of obtaining 

 them good, not that the fondness for the variety 

 has abated. Almost every Fancier at one time or 

 other in his career has had a try for them. 

 The birds breed generously, but throw' so many 

 wastrels to one presentable offspring, that much 

 as their friends admire them, they lack patience 

 to propagate them. Instead of difficulty being an 

 allurement to continue, they collapse under the 

 first pressure of it, and turn their attention to 

 an easier branch of the Fancy where they can 

 win an easier victory. 



Thirty years ago Matthew Eaton said : " The 

 London Fanciers are now directing their atten- 

 tion to Baldheads and Beards owing to their 

 scarcity. With their knowledge and judgment 

 I think they will breed them up in a very few 

 years as good as ever, although it is a work of 

 time." We have waited patiently for the fulfil- 

 ment of this prediction. "A very few years" 

 is on the eve of expiration. The successful 

 man is overdue, and when he comes what a 

 splendid golden harvest he will reap ! For 

 these birds are greatly admired, and when of 

 good quality, sell at long prices. A perfect 

 shortfaced black Baldhead would readily change 

 hands at ;^SO. An engaging pastime this for 



