THE COMMON TUMBLER. 107 



spaniel (the intelligent sporting clog) does to the short-faced Blenheim spaniel, 

 one being valued for its useful properties, and the other for its shortness of face, 

 small size, enormous ears, and extreme departure from the normal character of its 

 progenitors. 



As we observe every gradation of size and structure between the sporting dog 

 and the Blenheim, so may the same series of steps be traced between the common 

 flying Tumbler and the short-faced breed. 



The characters of the commoner birds are so varied and so loosely defined, that 

 it is difficult to describe them. The late Mr. B. P. Brent, who was well acquainted 

 with the old English and Continental varieties, thus described them in some 

 articles published originally in the Poultry Chronicle : — 



" The varieties of this breed that now come under our notice are very numerous; 

 their soaring flight and their aerial gymnastics will call forth much admiration, 

 and are, I conceive, well calculated to enlist the sympathies of the student of 

 nature. The Tumbler pigeons are well known in most of the countries of Europe; 

 in France they are called ' Voltigeurs,' or ' Culbutants ; ' in Germany, ' Burzel,' 

 ' Umschlager,' or ' Tummler-Tauben.' Their name is derived from their 

 throwing a summersault while flying, which they sometimes perform three or four 

 times at a single spring, clapping their wings together over their back, then sud- 

 denly bringing them down with force, they throw themselves back on their tails, 

 but fearing to go over, and some are a long time before they overcome their fears. 

 This is called ' backing.' When young birds fly well and back much without 

 going over (a great defect), I have found it useful to pull out the middle of their 

 tail, so that the next time they back they often fall over, and from that learn to 

 tumble well. Some tumble too much at a time, and thereby lose the flight, or 

 cause the others to come down after them, which is very objectionable. The 

 Tumblers should be kept in a house by themselves, and only ]et out once a day ; 

 the best time is in the morning before the sun is very hot ; and when they have 

 had their fly they should be shut up for the rest of the day, and not allowed to 

 associate with other pigeons, or they will contract a habit of low flying, which 

 would spoil them. They should be kept in a commodious house, and in constant 

 daily exercise, or they beeome lazy. Their house should be provided with plenty 

 of food, clean water, and grit ; a ' salt cat ' will be found very useful, made of old 

 mortar, coarse sand, clay, and a little salt ; nor should green meat be omitted, 

 such as lettuce, cabbage, &c, and an occasional bath is very beneficial. 



" They are excellent breeders, and do not require so much attention as most 

 fancy pigeons. Keep them clean and in exercise, give them good food and water, 

 and materials to build with, and they will do well. Although their young are 

 small, they are excellent in pies, and are produced in abundance, provided they are 

 not cramped for room. 



" The Tumbler should have a nice round head, a pearl eye, a short beak, a full 

 chest, and a consequential deportment ; they assimilate to the Almond Short-faced 

 in properties, but if intended for the Flying Fancy, must be stouter and of 



