no THE PIGEON-FANCIER. 



heads. This was about 1856. After this I 

 showed regularly. I bred a blue Baldhead cock 

 in 1872 which proved the Champion of the Fancy. 

 He started with taking First and gold medal at 

 Rochdale. First also at Boston, where I met 

 Robert Fulton. Mr. Fulton said : " I should like 

 to buy the blue Baldhead cock — fix a price on 

 him ; only let it be reasonable." We walked 

 together toward the bird, stood in front of his 

 pen, and I replied, " Well, Robert, I have set my 

 mind on that bird making me ;^5o before he 

 leaves my possession. If you will give me that 

 amount, the bird is yours." The bird remained 

 in my possession. I showed it for several years 

 running. He valiantly stood his ground, defeat- 

 ing all comers, winning many challenge cups, 

 and taking the sweepstakes at the Feresteronic 

 Show held at the Freemasons' Hotel. The bird 

 made me the required £S'^- He brought £^S 

 in prizes, and then at ten years of age was sold 

 to Mr. Martin of York for ^12. Mr. Martin 

 bred from him, and his stock has won ever since, 

 and unless some one breeds better, is likely to 

 continue so doing. 



Abput thirty years ago I bred a very curious 

 bird which created a lively interest in the Fancy 

 and out of it. The parents of it were common 



