132 PIGEONS. 



" Since writing rny last letter I have tried to procure some Kulmee Lowtans. 

 I was so often disappointed that I began to have doubts as to the existence of the 

 Kulmee Lowtan in this part of the world. I have, however, in the last week or 

 two procured four pigeons, all of which roll on the head being touched with the 

 forefinger. They are not all well bred, as I think three out of the four are 

 mongrels, though they all roll well. 



" One is exactly like my other Lowtans in appearance, and I think this is 

 probably a Kulmee Lowtan. Another is exactly like my common Lowtans, except 

 that in colour it resembles a Turbit, being white with dark shoulders. This is the 

 only coloured Lowtan I have seen, and for this reason I think it probably cross- 

 bred. The other two are a pair of squeakers ; they are white, but their turncrown 

 is not nearly as well developed as in the other Lowtans, and they have great long 

 legs feathered to the toes. I think these must be a cross between a Kulmee 

 Lowtan and a pigeon here called ' Paeemoya ' (stocking-footed) . I have tried all 

 these pigeons, and each rolls on the back of the head being struck with the fore- 

 finger. They were brought to me by a poultry-dealer, and I could not ascertain 

 anything as to their parentage. 



" I had been told by natives that a Lowtan would continue to roll until it 

 died. I tried two a few mornings ago, and found that they soon stopped, quite 

 exhausted. They lay on their backs with the wings stretched out, not having 

 strength to turn over again. They were all right again in a minute or two. 



" Gunga Jee." 



We should imagine that this habit of rolling when shaken from side to side 

 would be easily acquired. It would be very interesting to ascertain whether or 

 not any of the common Kolling pigeons or the House or Air Tumblers would 

 execute this performance if treated in the same manner as that by which the 

 Indian Lowtans are made to roll along the ground. 



These eccentric movements, which obviously depend on an extra irritability of 

 the nervous system, are not strictly confined to the breeds now under notice. The 

 tremulous motion in the neck of the Fantail is apparently of the same character, 

 and appears partially involuntary, being often carried to an extreme degree, and 

 continued for a considerable length of time, when the animal has been excited. 



