CHAPTER XII. 



THE L0WTAN OR GROUND TUMBLERS OF INDIA. — HOUSE TUMBLERS, &C. 



'"FHE propensity to the performance of eccentric movements which distinguishes 

 -*- the breeds known as Tumblers and Rollers, is carried to an extreme degree 

 in some varieties. There are breeds of pigeons that are, from this cause, quite 

 incapable of flight, rolling or tumbling over and over on the least attempt to 

 employ their wings. Such a condition obviously depends on some abnormal 

 development or undue irritability of the brain ; but, as far as we are aware, no 

 anatomical investigation of the structure or condition of this organ has been made 

 in these birds, nor has the writer had any opportunities of making any such 

 investigation. 



To these extreme varieties belong the breeds known as House Tumblers — so 

 named because they tumble in the house. From their excessive tumbling they 

 are not good flyers — not because they are unable to use their wings, for as young 

 birds they fly well ; but as they attain maturity they tumble too much, and if 

 forced to fly are apt to be blown away. If they are suddenly caused to fly when 

 at rest, they will spring up, turn over once or twice, and settle again. Some of 

 these birds are quite incapable of flight from their constancy in tumbling ; and 

 when this is done regularly, close to the ground, and with ease and command of 

 themselves, they are very highly valued. 



House Tumblers should not be tumbled too much at a time, nor too often, 

 or they will acquire a dislike to it, and will endeavour to conceal themselves by 

 running into a corner on the owner going into the room where they are kept. 



The late Mr. Brent, describing this breed and other extreme varieties, writes : — 



" My House Tumblers, when they tumble to perfection, lose the power of flight, 

 for at every attempt to rise they turn over. They may be tossed in a handkerchief 

 held by the corners, and each time they feel the cloth descend they will turn over. 

 There are a few that really cannot fly for tumbling ; but many can fly about from 

 house to house. Then I have among my Rollers some that, if suddenly startled, 

 will roll along the ground like a hoop or wheel ; but this display is not frequent, 

 and they always seem to get up very much astonished at their own performance. 

 I like to see a bird rise up a foot or fifteen inches, and, turning a clean somer- 

 sault, settle again on its feet without striking its head. I have a cock that does 

 this to perfection, and I consider him a very valuable pigeon. 



" Air Tumblers, too, I have that, in flying along, will turn over many times in 



