40 



Fans are bred in many different colors, the most popular, 

 however, being the Whites, Blacks, Bines, Reds, Yellow, as well 

 as the Saddle Backs. The Whites, as usual, have maintained 

 the lead and are possibly the largest class of any of the Fans at 

 the larger shows, and they have been bred to such a high state 

 that it is really difficult to find fgult with many of the winning 

 specimens. The Blacks are not as popular as the Whites, but 

 nevertheless the quality is not far behind. Blues, like the Blacks, 

 are not bred very extensively, and the quality, as usual, fs not 

 that of the Blacks or Whites. Saddles are quite plentiful with 

 usually fair classes at the shows, with uniform quality but noth- 

 ing in comparison with the White variety. The Reds, and the 

 Yellows have made no advancement in popularity for the past 

 several years, and about the same size classes are seen at the 

 shows and about the same interest taken as a number of years 

 ago, and it is claimed by some of the leading breeders that the 

 Reds and Yellows are very difficult to breed. The widft-spread 

 popularity of the Fantails makes them in demand, and the fan- 

 ciers of any of the different varieties have little trouble in dis- 

 posing of their surplus stock. 



The Pouter. 



The Pouter is one of the oldest varieties of fancy pigeons 

 and has been a great favorite as far back as 1735. In that year 

 J. Moore published his treatise on tame pigeons, which, I think 

 was the first book on the subject. He there states that the 

 Pouter was first bred in England and is, therefore, called the 

 English Pouter. It was originally a mixed breed between a 

 horseman and a cropper, and it appears that this cross had been 

 made very many years prior to Mr. Moore's remarks, judging 

 from the description he gives. Of course, like all others of the 

 older varieties, the Pouter has undergone many changes in 

 fashion. Thirty years ago the great rage was size and length, 

 somewhat irrespective of thickness of body, style and carriage. 

 The shape of the limbs was not often what one would describe 

 as elegant. I believe on some few occasions there are records 

 where they measured seven and one-half inches and over, but 

 seldom if ever looked as long and more rarely were of the cor- 

 rect shape, position and closeness. Since that time the Pouter 

 has gradually been improved in general structure- The body 



