Different Performances. 
iSg 
far as looks were concerned — muffed and clean-legged, every sort, Self-colours, White-wings, &c. 
It will be seen by this little incident that there is no certainty of the issue being fac-simile, 
or even resembling the parent stock. By-the-by, in order that the list of varieties I have given 
may be correctly understood, I may mention that amongst a number of fanciers it has been 
considered that a ‘Black Mottle’ should have a 'handkerchief back' (think of the absurdity of 
the term alone), which means a number of white feathers on the saddle. This, I hold, to be 
quite an erroneous idea, for birds thus marked are neither perfect Rosewings or Mottles, but, 
in my opinion, between the two. 
“ The following is a brief description of each sub-variety, and the peculiarities by which they 
are known and distinguished : — 
"Rollers are those which at every exhibition of their rolling powers pass through an un- 
accountable number of backward evolutions or somersaults, in such quick succession as to 
appear like a falling ball. Most fanciers are satisfied if they come through the ‘ kit ’ as a ring, 
but when they appear in a solid form, it is known their convolutions are performed with still greater 
velocity. A good Roller should fairly roll twenty feet. There are lots who descend by a series 
of treble or more somersaults to a greater distance, but the most perfect complete a long 
descent in one spinning bout. 
“ Tumblers are such as fly and roll, frequently taking one, two, or more backward evolutions as 
up they go, and at every turn. 
“ Tipplers should merely throw a single somersault, and this very frequently ; but any more 
(or less) is sufficient to cause him to be ‘ plucked ’ at the earliest opportunity. 
"Mad Tumblers are those possessing the propensity of tumbling to an extraordinary, and 
uncontrollable, and almost unaccountable degree, such as, if liberated, even in a room, will be likely 
to strike against some object, and fall a lifeless victim to their strange habit. Such birds are no 
use whatever as fliers, as they cannot rise with safety to any height, therefore are chiefly kept as 
stock birds for mating with good flying birds. I may here remark that in the event of a well-flown, 
good Roller once coming in contact with any object during his rolling descent, it is almost a moral 
certainty that he will fall a prey to this affection at no distant time. 
“ Twizzlers are by some fanciers thought very interesting in their mode of operation, which 
action consists of a sideways spinning or pirouette movement, at the same time as the general 
flock take their ‘ turns.’ For my own part, I consider this movement an imperfect attempt of 
probably good birds to work well, and to be contracted by reason of a too frequent habit of practising 
a lot of good birds together. Such a habit is easily contracted, and would soon be confirmed 
beyond reparation. 
“Amongst the lot of Flying Tumblers, the prettiest and most attractive are Rosewings, 
Mottles, Self or Solid Colours, Saddles, and Red-breasts or White-sides. Any of these, when 
accurately marked, are really handsome as exhibition birds, no matter whether clear or feather- 
legged, and out of this group, too, may be chosen some wonderful fliers and performers ; but if the 
chief desideratum be to obtain long fliers, high fliers, brilliant workers, regular and accurate 
Tipplers, eccentric Twizzlers, or long Rollers, a trial is absolutely necessary; occular demonstration 
alone of their capabilities up aloft can serve as a proof of their true worth. In such a widespread 
fancy, in a pursuit so general, it is only fair to suppose there is often a lack of unity of thought 
amongst the admirers of this breed. Some prefer the high flier, and make a selection so as to 
obtain in one flock such birds only as can traverse the realms of space for half a day or more. 
Others consider that a flock of high and long fliers, if even slow workers, affords the full enjoyment 
which such displays can afford, if only they will ‘ scrape the sky ’ for half an hour. Others prefer a 
