PREFACE. 



So far as Pigeon books are concerned, the majoritj- 

 of existing works deal very largely with the technical 

 and more advanced, and not enough with the element- 

 ary and practical side of Pigeon-keeping. It has been 

 my desire in writing " Pigeons, and all about them," 

 to make it easily understood, and to this end I have 

 avoided, as much as possible, the idea that my readers 

 have got beyond the elementary stage. I have also 

 endeavoured to eschew the use of highly technical 

 language, and to write in a plain, practical manner, so 

 that the young fancier may readily understand my 

 meaning, and the earnest seeker after Pigeon know- 

 ledge find that which he seeketh. 



Another strong reason why I have undertaken the 

 compilation of " Pigeons, and all about them," is 

 because man^- of mj- friends, who for the past twenty- 

 five 5'ears have followed my writings in " The Fanciers' 

 Gazette," " Pigeons and Poultry," and " Pigeons," 

 have expressed a desire to possess the same in a com- 

 plete and more permanent form. 



A third reason, and bj* no means the least, is that 

 my old friend and colleague, Mr. J. E. Watmough, the 

 Editor of " Pigeons," whom I have known for a big 

 slice of mjr life, and with whom, for over thirty years, I 

 have worked in closest friendship and most hearty 

 accord, asked me to undertake this work. 



So much as to the reason whj' " Pigeons, and all 

 about them," has been prepared. I send it forth 

 conscious that it is far from perfect, but I ask for it 

 tliat kindly indulgence which the fanciers of the 



