1 88 
The Illustrated Book of Plgeons. 
good fair quills of say four and a half inches long, and resembling little wings. The term 
‘medium’ length needs no further comment. ‘Grouse-muffed’ are those with the entire leg and 
foot- fathering of a soft feathery nature, and extending to the extremity of the toes. In all the 
heavily-feathered sorts the thigh-covering should be long and profuse, not fluffy, but extending 
backwards, and almost crossing beneath the rump, like ‘ vulture hocks.’ 
“ I will now give the characteristic points in the formation of these birds. I may say that 
although there is no sure guide in appearance by which one can predict a good Roller (apart 
from a trial), still there are certain peculiarities which enable a good judge to arrive at a pretty 
accurate assumption, and, upon handling a bird, it is not an uncommon thing to hear it said, ‘Ah ! 
he feels like a good one.’ This remark applies in a great measure to the narrow span around the 
‘ stern ’ of the bird, and the fulness and extra weight at the front, where the chief motive-power is 
wanted. The principal points of form are, width of shoulder, shortness of back, and narrowness of 
rump. The size of the bird is say medium (for there is always a danger in either extreme), the 
body round and plump, and the actual outline, when bereft of feathers, presents nearly a triangular 
form. The head is high is front ; the beak of the ‘spindle’ character, thin and dove-shaped, though 
not long, but ‘ pleasant-faced,’ as they are termed. The eye prominent and of a pearly-white 
colour; neck short and of a sudden taper; breast, full and prominent; back, short; legs of 
moderate length (in muffed-legged birds they are actually longer, though in appearance about alike) ; 
feet rather small. The temperament of these birds is quiet and contented. They make themselves 
happy and comfortable either high or low, in the garret or cellar (for I have known a good kit of 
fliers cellar-bred), or any quarters, provided they partake of ‘liberty’s feast’ at least once a day. 
They are prolific breeders, capital nurses, and are in fact the most domesticated of all the pigeon 
tribe. They are also of a very hardy constitution, and will thrive upon such spare diet, and in such 
a homely habitation, as would astonish those fanciers who have only bred and tried the experiment 
with the more delicate kinds of our show birds. As the Flying Tumbler has been more especially 
produced for his aerial performances, the various colours have in consequence been extensively 
crossed, in order to obtain extraordinary flying or rolling properties, rather than the improvement 
of either colour or markings; therefore it is in most cases quite uncertain, and mere conjecture, as to 
what even well-matched pairs will produce, although it must be admitted of late years (since some 
of these birds have been admitted as show birds), they have been more thoughtfully cared for and 
matched with greater consideration to the produce of issue like themselves. Still even now most of 
the White-winged ones will breed various coloured progeny of almost every peculiarity of marking. 
I remember some years ago I was asked by an intimate friend if I would procure for him a pair of 
pretty inexpensive pigeons, such as would ‘look pretty’ upon the lawn in front of the window. 
After carefully weighing over this matter, I purchased him a pair of cheap but good-looking 
Tumblers, at, I think, 3s. 6d. the pair, but of their history, pedigree, &c., I was in blissful ignorance. 
They were, in due course, placed in their new quarters, answered exactly their owner’s expectations, 
and then time rolled on. I heard only occasionally of these pigeons — how they had ‘increased and 
multiplied.’ In the course of about two and a half years I was invited to run up and see a splendid 
bed of carnations, and then, said my friend, you can see the pigeons at the same time. I was 
amazed at the large number of the latter, and more so at the complete assortment. ‘Yes,’ said 
my friend, ‘ and they all descended from the pair you purchased for me, and we have added pens , 
from time to time to the gable of that building yonder, until, as you see, it is now covered, and we 
arc undecided whether to go round the corner or lop off some of the stock.’ I strongly advised the 
‘ lopping-off ’ process, but I must confess that amongst so large a number, and some of each 
colour, and of every conceivable style of marking, there was a good percentage of birds of merit so 
