CHAPTER II. 



SELECTION OF STOCK. 



The reason so many fanciers fail in Pigeon breed- 

 ing is because they start wrong. Two great mistakes 

 are made by new hands. The first is, that they in- 

 variably overload themselves — that is, overstock their 

 aviaries. They buy a lot of birds thinking thej- stand 

 more chance of breeding winners than if they only have 

 a few. They overlook two very important consider- 

 ations. The first is, that the best bird of the year 

 in any given variety can only come out of one egg; 

 and the other is, that quality should at all times be 

 preferred to quantity. No fancier should at starting 

 select more than three or four pairs of birds. It takes 

 some time for one to become accustomed to the needs 

 and desires of a stock of Pigeons, and it is impossible 

 for a new hand to successful look after a big stud. 

 Another mistake is in thinking that all one needs 

 to do is to buy a number of high-class birds, great 

 ■svinners, pair them together, and straightaway winners 

 will be produced. Those who have had experience 

 known only too well that such methods invariably 

 bring failure. To become a successful breeder of 

 Pigeons one must serve a fairly lone apprenticeship, 

 and possibly come through much disappointment and 

 vexation ere the goal is reached. 



HOW TO RE.^CH THE GO.\I,. 



The first steps are most important, and it is mv 

 wish that students of " Pigeons, and all about them," 

 should made their first steps upon a firm and clear 

 roadway. Before commencing to keep Pigeons, that 

 is high-class ones, the would-be breeder should \isit a 

 fe^\- shows, gain some knowledge of the dift'erent breeds 

 and the difl'erences between them This ^^•ill enable 



