194 
The Illustrated Book of Pigeons. 
rich or conspicuous ; still they are pretty regularly interspersed with black and white, with the 
buff tint more clearly traceable upon the neck and breast, and along the shafts of flights and tail. 
However, as accuracy of markings or colour is not one of the chief characteristics of this breed, I 
shall pass it over as unimportant. There are, in fact, all colours, and white included. ‘Duns’ 
also are to be found, and I have heard of some ‘wonderful’ performers clad in this last-named 
dingy tint ; but Oriental Rollers are not judged by any ‘colour or marking.’ Indeed, the best 
proof of their quality is when seen at a distance. Truly the old saying may be applied to them, 
‘ Distance lends enchantment to the view.’ Their miraculous acrobatic feats, evolutions, or 
gymnastic revolutions in the clouds alone are enough to win the estimation of those who admire 
good Roller pigeons. 
“It is now many years ago since I heard of these wonderful performers, and for some few years 
I confess I longed for some of them ; for as my experience in pigeonology commenced with the 
‘Common Tumbler’ (as our British fliers are termed), and having kept and witnessed some 
startling performers amongst such, I naturally felt most desirous of possessing such as were said 
would ‘ eclipse ’ all I had yet seen. At length my hopes in this respect were realised ; for by the 
kindness of an esteemed friend and fancier, three pairs were sent over here as a present to a fellow- 
fancier, who thoroughly appreciates a good performer ; but unfortunately he did not, or could not, 
give them a fair trial ; therefore, after a further lapse of time, I obtained them ; but from previous 
long inaction they had become partially disabled as fliers, therefore could not be persuaded to 
‘get up,’ so as to show me their mode of ‘coming down;’ thus I lost the desirable sight, and 
unfortunately lost the birds too ; for not being used to chimneys at home, they were, in fact, 
abroad with them here. One cock bird fell a prey to starvation in a neighbour’s warm chimney, 
and the others were lost, or died without my being able to satisfactorily realise their flying 
capabilities. However, the same kind friend sent me a pair of well-tried Blacks, and to these birds 
I soon gave unlimited freedom, and after the usual preliminaries of caution, I by degrees put them 
to the test, and most assuredly did I find them answer to the full the extraordinary rolling 
properties which I had wished to behold, and which I was correctly informed I might expect ; and 
I can affirm, after ocular proof, that they more than realised my expectations. They are indeed 
justly termed ‘ Rollers,’ for they unfold themselves, as it were, with such accuracy and rapidity, 
that one would at times suppose them to have outdone themselves, and descending either giddy or 
a lifeless prey to their extraordinary habit. 
“ On reference to the accompanying representation, it will be seen that they are in appearance 
also somewhat novel, and dissimilar to our English breed. The beak is not, as in most Tumblers, 
of a dove or ‘spindle’ character, but straight, and moderately thick and strong. Nor does the 
head possess the high crown or projecting forehead so common amongst our native Tumblers ; but 
it is rather long, yet nicely in keeping with the peculiar elongated hollow back and narrow form of 
the bird ; the neck is rather short, the legs also short, and the eye of a ‘pearl’ colour. I may say 
that great length and hollowness from neck to tip of tail is a most desirable feature, and such is 
(apart from a trial) one of the best signs of quality. The entire length, as I have said, should be 
long, still the back itself is actually short. The birds possess an elasticity of form which is quite 
uncommon, and whilst trotting about in search of food, &c., or after taking a refreshing draught, 
they will raise their tails, and thus hollow their backs to a strange degree. Another remarkable 
feature in them is that the little pointed oil-gland, immediately above the tail (common to poultry 
and most kinds of pigeons), is not to be found in any pure birds of this breed, which is quite 
destitute of this common characteristic. 
“The tail also is peculiar, and quite uncommon. It is long, and composed of from fourteen to 
