20 Pigeons axp All Abolt Theji. 



much disappointment, but also soniL- consulerable 

 amount of pocket money. Before purchasing the 

 initial stock I would advise every beginner to think 

 well as to which variety he likes best. Ha\-ing made 

 up his mind on this point, he should consider next if 

 the acconnnodation at his command is suited for the 

 \-ariety which he has fixed upon, because if not, he 

 must endeavour to foster a love for a breed which will 

 fit in with his surroundings. As an example, it would 

 be useless his attempting to breed such birds as White 

 African Owls, White Fantails, White Jacobins, or 

 JMagpies, in a small back-yard loft in a large town. 

 He would never be able to keep them in the spotless 

 purity of plumage in which such breeds need to be kept 

 to be seen to advantage. 



Again, in the far North, heavy wattled birds will 

 not do as well as in more Southern neighl^ourhoods. 

 The reason why Ireland has so lonp' been pre-eminent 

 in the culture of such birds as Trumpeters and Jacobins 

 is because the mild humid character of the climate in 

 the Emerald Isle is particularly conducive to the ex- 

 cessive growth of feather. Thus it would be folly 

 for anyone living in the mild, humid, relaxing atmos- 

 phere of such ]ilaces as Torquay, Bournemouth, South 

 Wales, South Devon, and Cornwall, to horie to com- 

 pete successfully in the jirodnction of such birds as 

 Show Homers, Antwerfis, and Dragoons, with breeders 

 living in the more rigorous climate of Yorkshire, 

 Lancashire, Durham and Northumberland. The 

 mild, soft atmosphere would encourage the growth of 

 wattle and cere too much, and render both too soft and 

 f[ab1_iy. Yet such districts are most admirably suited 

 for such l)reeds as Carriers, Trumpeters, Jacobins, 

 Fantails, l\Iuft'ed Tumblers, vSwallows, Blaze-faces, etc., 

 Iiecause what is a climatic disadvantage in relation to 

 the former breeds, becomes of real assistance in the 

 growth of the essential show pro]>erties of the latter. 



FOR TOWN DWELLERS. 



Then, whilst the immediate vicinity of large towns 

 is not conducive to successful keepins of birds with 

 white, or light, plumage, it is suitable for birds such as 



