204 
The Illustrated Book of Plgeons. 
Utopian fancies, this beautiful variety have been drifted about ‘ at sea* for a long time, the big 
bulky specimens standing the storm, I must admit, remarkably well. But after a storm we 
expect a calm. That calm has come, and upon quiet reflection it will be seen the tide of evidence 
goes strongly against the awards in the Dragoon classes. For the past five years they have indeed 
been chosen as the ‘ fashion of the day,’ and a good long day too they have had, considering their 
actual merits ; but such fitful fancies are now doomed to oblivion, so far as such rough stock being 
typical of the elite of that body of elegant birds, the excellence of which on common ground all 
must be agreed. 
“ I have no doubt that the admirers of the heavy style of bird will use in lieu of argument 
the fact of their favourites being selected as the victors at so many exhibitions, such being the only 
reasonable ground of opposition ; but in reality such is not material to the issue, for, as I have said, 
there are but few good authorities (on this breed) who have been chosen to adjudicate upon their 
merits ; and hence the ruling ‘powers that be’ having once pronounced favourably upon the coarse 
type, must necessarily have either renounced their former opinions, been subjected to charges of 
inconsistency, or else follow up and indorse at every show the objects of their first choice, whether 
right or wrong. This is one of the chief reasons which have operated in favour of the heavy birds, 
and been the primary cause of their recognition as show Dragoons ; but such a selection has 
proved a great mistake, caused much dissatisfaction and astonishment in all quarters, and also 
called forth much attention with a view to its rectification and settlement; but in reply to the 
almost imploring questions and lamentations of unsuccessful exhibitors their echo only is heard, 
and no words of encouragement, consolation, or advice from those who, by their peculiar notions, 
have inflicted the injury and injustice which is felt amongst Dragoon breeders, not a word of 
argument from those adjudicators in whom confidence has been placed, but merely a bare practical 
system of pronouncing over and over again the same opinion upon the same specimens. Now, I do 
not complain of such fanciers for having shown their preference, nor do I question the integrity of 
our chosen judges, but after a long course of experience as a Dragoon fancier myself, I do question 
and marvel at their strange tastes and want of discrimination in the selection of Dragoons, and I 
do also complain that from the mere fact of there being say half a dozen admirers and exhibitors of 
the heavy coarse style of bird, and say three or four of our most popular judges who, although their 
decisions do accord with their honest convictions, are ready to tack on the diploma of merit 
wheresoever they may meet such birds, it should be taken for granted that their opinions are 
absolute or incontestable, more especially as I know they are not the sentiments of the bulk of our 
British fanciers, and will not bear a theoretical investigation, any more than their birds will bear 
comparison with the smaller and more handsome kind, which I admit have unfortunately been put 
aside for the time, and their position monopolised by the coarsest of the species. For the 
power is in the hands of the judges, although they are few in number. We may have a 
thousand exhibitors and double that number of breeders, but so long as fanciers are silent the 
evil continues. Endeavours have been made to ascertain zvhy these inferior Carriers should be 
chosen as Dragoons. Questions have been asked, discussion courted, arguments solicited, still our 
judges enter not into the fray, but as masters of the post they simply remain silent spectators of 
this confusion of styles which they have been the main instruments of making more confounding. 
Surely, if there are any reasonable grounds why the bulky section of Dragoons should be chosen 
as the better kind, we ought to have some reason for such choice, and some of which should 
emanate from those whose tastes and discriminating powers are supposed to be superior to 
our own. 
“ These preliminary remarks are necessary to the fair understanding of the Dragoon problem. 
