THE ENGLISH POUTER. 65 



The stack of pens being fifteen feet four inches in length, by seven feet six 

 inches in height ; the entire length is divided into five tiers of pens, each pen 

 being three feet in width from side to side, and sixteen inches from back to front. 

 This stack is divided horizontally into six rows of pens, placed one over the other ; 

 of these the lower row only is intended for Pouters, being sixteen inches in height, 

 the second for Carriers, fourteen inches in height, and the upper four rows for 

 Tumblers, each row being twelve inches high. These dimensions will show that 

 all experienced fanciers consider that Pouters require larger and taller pens even 

 than Carriers. 



A low pen would prevent the birds raising themselves to their full stature, and 

 their carriage would be entirely destroyed. The arrangement proposed by Mr. Eaton 

 is one calculated to enable the possessor of a single loft or room to keep the three 

 high-class varieties, Pouters, Carriers, and Almond Tumblers, together. In prac- 

 tice, we should doubt whether it would be found advantageous to do so. The 

 pens for the Pouters would be too low, and too near the ground for the birds to be- 

 come familiar with their feeder, and consequently they would not " show " so freely ; 

 and the Carriers, which are not unfrequently birds of a very combative disposition, 

 would be apt to interfere with the delicate and fragile Short-faced Tumblers in a 

 manner that would not at all conduce to the well-being of the latter. A single 

 peck from the sharp-pointed beak of a Carrier would destroy the beauty of the 

 eye of an Almond Tumbler for life. 



The compiler of the anonymous " Treatise " of 1765, who was evidently a 

 practised breeder, states that " The Pouter requires an infinite deal of 

 attendance, it being necessary to keep them separately all the winter season ; 

 that is to say, every single bird, cocks as well as hens, in a separate pen 

 or coop, each of which must be furnished with meat and water, and 

 should be lofty and spacious, as otherwise they would contract a habit of 

 stooping, which is an imperfection, and should by all means be prevented. 

 Then having (in the spring) matched or paired them, you must be provided 

 with at least two pairs of Dragoons to every pair of Pouters, for nurses or 

 feeders, which must be kept in a separate loft from the Pouters, otherwise they 

 would bastardize, and spoil the breed. Pouters are never suffered, by those who 

 are curious, to hatch their own eggs, they being bad feeders, and would often 

 starve their young ones. When the Pouter has laid her egg, it must be shifted 

 under a Dragoon, that has likewise laid, nearly about the same time, and that of 

 the Dragoon be placed under the Pouter, exchanging the one with the other, it 

 being necessary the Pouter should have an egg, or eggs, to sit on, to prevent her 

 laying again too soon, which would weaken, and in a short time lull her. Like- 

 wise the inconveniency attending them when gorged (by putting them in a stocking 

 if gorged with food, and if gorged with water by squeezing it out of their crops), 

 which frequently happens, especially among the large-cropped ones, and sometimes 

 occasions the loss of a valuable bird, if proper care (and that in due time) be noi 

 taken. Again, should a fancier begin with half a dozen pairs of Pouters, he would, 



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