5^ 



in an individual manifests itself early and persists late. It is 

 a magic touch that places the urchin and the sage in the same 

 class. Certainly no fancy holds out the temptation that this one 

 does. The possibilities are so great. The whims of the most 

 fastidious can find satisfaction in the pigeon. This bird is pro- 

 duced in most every conceivable shape and color. The delicate 

 tints and penciling of their feathers seem hardly to be a part of 

 a living bird. When one considers that these beautiful speci- 

 mens of avian perfection evoluted from the aborigines, the Rock 

 Doves, very evident is it then the class of men that labored to 

 bring about this change. No other fancy can boast oi so many 



artistic and intelligent sympathizers as this one, for the simple 

 reason that intelligence is necessary to produce and maintain, 

 and an artistic temperament is required to appreciate the ele- 

 gance thereof. 



Not only does the pigeon supply interesting combinations 

 of color and shape, but action as well, viz., the lordly Pouter 

 with his globe or the nervous Fantail with her toe-dance. But 

 to me that sturdy little acrobat, the Tumbler, appeals most 

 strongly. While this bird is produced in more colors and varied 

 other morphological characteristics than we find in any other 

 breed, his aerial gymnastics completely eclipse the tame demon- 

 gyration of the Pouter, the Fan, or anjr other performing pigeon, 



