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CHAPTER V. 
BREEDING AND EXHIBITING. 
We would strongly advise all who wish to begin pigeon-keeping, to consider first of all with some 
little care concerning the variety they select. For pigeons differ so very greatly, and some of 
them require such different management from others, that perseverance seldom holds out in the 
case of a breed not really admired ; whereas, if one or two varieties are selected which are really 
“ fancied,” so great is the charm of the pursuit that the owner will probably get more and more 
attached to them the longer he continues, and if he has any judgment, or any tolerable “ eye” for 
the birds, is almost certain in time to produce good specimens, at least if he has commenced 
with any stock of decent quality. But above all, let the new beginner avoid keeping too many 
varieties ; as such a course almost always causes disappointment and ultimate abandonment of 
the pursuit, and if it does not, at least results in a continual “ chopping and changing,” which is 
both a hindrance to success and a sqd enemy to the pocket. Moreover, those who begin in 
this way hardly ever attain a sound knowledge of any pigeon ; and when they do happen to 
possess good specimens, most probably are not aware of the fact unless informed of it by 
some more skilful friend. 
On the other hand, by commencing with one, two, or we will allow even three varieties to 
which the fancy really inclines, the owner may hope in a short time to become at least fairly 
acquainted with the points of the birds for himself, so as to be able to see at a glance the slightest 
“standard” fault either in his own birds or those of his friends, and to know for himself their real 
value. Once as far on as this, the fancy has “got” him ; for we have noted again and again that 
nothing pleases a young fancier more than being able to point out to some skilled friend that his 
bird is faulty in this or that point, of which his own bird is possessed in a superior degree. To see 
and know such a superiority in any one important point gives a great deal of inward pleasure, and 
from that time such a one usually takes more interest in his birds than ever, and begins to study 
the various other points in a way which he did not before. In order to attain such a discriminating 
knowledge, it is of great service to belong to some one of the various private societies established in 
different parts of the kingdom for the cultivation of pigeons ; but if this be impossible, we would 
strongly advise the amateur to attend the first and every other public exhibition known as likely 
to be a good one, and there take particular notice and give careful study to the winning birds, 
picking up as much as he can from any more skilled friend or other fancier he may be able to 
meet with ; as such free viva voce comments in presence of the birds, although often grossly 
coloured, and, indeed, perhaps scarcely ever to be depended on as giving the fair merits of the 
specimens, are of wonderful efficacy in bringing to light the most minor and hidden faults , and 
are thus most useful to an inexperienced breeder. By thus noticing the best birds, and all that 
can be said against them, the young beginner will find he has gained a great deal which it is 
difficult to pick up in any other way. 
Some may think us too narrow in the choice we have allowed. We do not say it is impossible 
