192 
The Illustrated Book of Pigeons. 
describe in detail any particular style of pigeon loft, as there are so many kinds, but the most 
suitable position for a flight of Tumblers is the most elevated place that can be appropriated to 
their use, and this kept for flyers only, in which pen breeding is ignored. A separate pen should be 
provided for the stock birds, and properly fitted up and furnished as a breeding pen, but for flying 
purposes the principal object is to arrange the pen and fix upon a place from which the birds may 
be easily got off to work straight away, and from which a full survey may be made of all their 
movements. On page 24 will be seen a well-arranged and suitable representation of what is 
necessary, and such pens are the best of places for the purpose. 
“When the entire flock is well up in the air care should be exercised not to offer or display 
any inducement for them to descend. Still, it is always advisable to have a small reserve force at 
home, in case of a clash with any neighbouring ‘ kit,’ or in case the fliers may be drifted away by 
wind, or overtaken by fog, snow, sleet, rain, or any other eventuality which may necessitate 
their speedy return home. This reserve force, say a dozen, need not be fliers, but birds of a lively 
yet tractable disposition, and on the approach of danger these may be liberated, one by one, 
as decoys or landmarks for their truant associates. It is not at all an unusual thing for a flying 
fancier to lose his entire stock once a year, especially if they are good ones, and this event is termed 
‘a fly away;’ not perhaps that the birds meant to take their final departure, but were lost 
on account of sudden atmospheric changes, perhaps lost in a fog, or drifted away in a gale. 
“ The best way to practise the youngsters is to liberate them two or three at a time, tossing 
them right into the flight on the return of the kit, together with two or three old ones. This 
addition will somewhat revive the flagging energies of the lot, and be the means of breaking 
the juveniles gently to their duties. Old birds do not care to fly with young ones, nor is it well 
that a good flock should have frequent additions of young birds, but now and then a fresh infusion 
of lively youngsters does wonders. 
“ The best diet is grey peas and barley, a moderate supply of barley or buckwheat scattered 
to them after their first morning’s fly, and abstinence throughout the day, but finishing up with a 
good supply of peas and barley after their evening’s fly; and then, if time allow, they may be 
permitted to peregrinate upon the building for a short time ere they are closed up for the night; 
but as a rule they should be either on their perches, snug and comfortable, or else busy upon the 
wing ; fly or rest', ‘ rest or fly l is the motto of those fanciers who estimate the value of their birds 
according to their powers of endurance on the wing, or for clearness and agility in the manner in 
which they execute their evolutions.” 
Somewhat allied to these birds in instinct and habits, though very different in shape and 
characteristics, are the singular foreign Flying Tumblers, which have to some small extent become 
recently known in England under the name of “ Oriental Rollers.” The only description of these 
birds wc have ever seen is that contributed by Mr. Ludlow, the writer of the preceding remarks, 
to The Fanciers Gazette ; and as that account really contains all that is desirable we reproduce it, 
with the illustration by which it was accompanied. 
“ The accompanying engraving is a correct representation of this very remarkable species of 
pigeon, which it may be truly said far excels all European Tumblers or Rollers in at least their 
aerial performances, for although they cannot lay claim to our consideration as beauties, they 
certainly cannot fail to attract our attention, and receive our admiration, as perfect wonders in 
their acrobatic feats up aloft. 
“ These singular-looking and remarkable birds hail from an Eastern clime, as their name 
