Long-faced Beards. 
1S5 
times ; though we believe it is not the common opinion. We remember once losing a Blue hen, 
and after awhile found her some five miles off, and with the assistance of two young companions 
(we, too, were young then) literally drove her home by throwing stones so as to frighten her. 
During five hours of this flying hither and thither, gradually approaching homewards, the bird 
showed no sign whatever of tumbling ; but directly she pitched in sight of her cote, she darted 
inside, and coming out again instantly with her mate, began a “grand round,” as if for joy at her 
safe return, and tumbled, we thought, better than we had ever before seen her do. A sick bird 
also will rarely tumble. That these differences in the propensity at different times are entirely 
beyond the bird’s own control seems doubtful, since even a strange place will often prevent 
tumbling for awhile. We have waited before now for hours to see the performance of some 
fresh purchase, but to no purpose, and began in consequence to feel disappointed, when the 
next day has repaid us by an unexpectedly grand series of evolutions. 
Besides the birds which thus really tumble, the Beard especially is much bred for its powers 
of flight. Previously to the introduction of the Antwerp, in fact, the “ long-faced Beard” was one 
of the most favourite flying birds, and is capable of doing at least 100 miles. If bred by flying 
results , as the Antwerp is — that is, only the best performers allowed to increase the stock — we 
have no doubt the powers of this pigeon could be greatly increased. The long-faced Beard is 
generally about an inch and a quarter in face, but some are an inch and five-eights, and the medium 
or pleasant-faced birds are, of course, less. These flying Beards very seldom tumble,* but are often 
beautifully correct in marking. 
The most important division of these birds, however, are the true Flying Tumblers, or, as 
some call them, High-flying Tumblers, which go through their tumbling and rolling performances 
while flying at large, at a great height in the air. These birds have always been greatly admired 
by many whose means do not allow of more expensive birds, especially in the large towns. In 
Birmingham particularly they are so largely kept and flown, that one class of performers is well- 
known under the name of “Birmingham Rollers and, as our own experience has lain very little 
among this class of birds, we are glad to give, instead of any description of our own, the following 
* Eaton has, at page 86, the following curious note, which is worth preserving, on “ Long-faced Beards. — While much 
has been, and more will be, written on the Short-faced Tumblers, which may meet the approbation of Short-faced Tumbler 
fanciers, it would appear to me a very one-sided affair if I did not attempt to take any notice of the long-faced Tumblers and 
fanciers. They are very fashionable at this time, and are to be met with in great numbers about Regent Street, the parks, the 
lounges of fashionable watering-places, &c- It is reported the late — Muntz, Esq., M.P. for Birmingham, had a superior stud. 
’Tis said ladies are great admirers of them — I believe only to giggle at or about them after they have passed. Strange to say, the 
more ugly they are the more they rivet attention ; I am surprised how they pick up or feed, and that they are not completely 
starved. This accounts for their being so extremely long-faced or lantern-jawed, though heavily bearded. I have noticed before 
now, in a room where a grand show took place, although not any Beards in the pens, there has been some tremendous, ugly, very 
long-faced heavy Beards in the room. I have wondered (one name is as good as another for argument) how it were possible, it 
Mr. Smith wanted to smoke Mr. Southwood’s meerschaum pipe, he could get it into his mouth. You will observe, though 
strange, yet not more strange than true, there must have been a cross with the Baldhead and the Beard ; although they are long- 
faced, heavily bearded, they are almost perfectly bald-headed. Their feather is mostly grizzle, or a pepper-and-salt colour ; I have 
heard of ‘Blue-beard.’ With regard to this fancy, I cannot by any possibility think but there ought to be a distinction that only 
men in the army should be allowed to indulge in this fancy. If others will indulge in this bearded fancy, and take such immense 
pains in rearing and coaxing them, and consider them so luxurious, they ought to pay a heavy tax, like gentlemen paying the 
powder-tax, which would enable the Chancellor of the Exchequer to take off the Income-tax, and greatly benefit the revenue ; or 
gentlemen only should rear them ; for to see a long, thin-faced, rough, ugly beard, deep in moult, or ragged as a colt, what looks 
worse? You will perceive some of them have a kind of hood on the upper mandible. Some of the inexperienced fanciers take 
them to be rabbis, monks, or priests ; the experienced fancier calls it moustache. I find I have made a slight mistake here ; 
I have been describing the long-faced walking or promenading Beard, instead of the long-faced flying Beard ; therefore I must 
try back.” 
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