Relation of the Fez lied Pigeons. 
309 
them, than any one else in this country. We refer to Mr. II. P. Caridia, of Birmingham ; and, as we 
can add nothing to the details he has given, and only desired to summarise, as it were, the methods 
he has explained, and to show briefly the principle on which they are founded, we will say no more 
than that the following full notes are all from his pen : — 
“ It is with some reluctance that I venture to express in the English language my knowledge 
of and experience with these birds, for being, as I am, a foreigner, there arise within me certain fears 
lest I may' be unable to convey, as I could wish to do, an experience which I have gained by a long 
study of the breeds I am asked to describe. I, however, answer with pleasure to the call made 
upon me, though, were it not for an extensive personal experience with these birds from boyhood, 
together with a full knowledge of the views of ardent fanciers of their native land, I would have 
shrunk from the pleasant, though somewhat difficult task which is committed to my care. 
“In order to classify and bring together into one family group the birds which these notes are 
designed to describe, it must not be supposed that it will include all the pigeons of Eastern origin. 
Certainly' not ! or I should of necessity have to bring into consideration various birds that are 
treated upon elsewhere. Nor do I propose to particularise all the, at present, known varieties 
which are inhabitants and natives of the Oriental regions, but I shall simply confine my remarks more 
especially to those sorts and varieties which are regarded as special favourites, as representing the 
birds of fashion of the present generation, and such as have been to some extent introduced into 
this country within the last sixteen years ; several kinds of which derive their origin from crosses, 
many sub-varieties originating from one chief spring. Therefore it will be seen to be a matter 
almost of necessity to speak of the lot generally, while, at the same time, I purpose individualising 
and separating those sorts which have become to some extent disunited by reason of their striking 
individuality. The Eastern World, without doubt, has been the birthplace, the very cradle, in 
which has been nursed and nurtured and brought to perfection the very germ and essence of all the 
frilled varieties of pigeons, in which the British fancier now takes so much interest. Nor is the 
fancy for these beautiful gems of form and feather of which I shall shortly speak died out, or even 
on the decline. Certainly not : although with our Eastern brethren there are no shows to stimulate 
their efforts, or from time to time to prop up, as it were, the flagging fancies of their admirers. 
No ! no ! There is to a large extent apparent the pure fancy — and it is from that natural admiration, 
discernible in so large a number of Eastern fanciers, for the frilled varieties of pigeons, that the race 
is kept up now, and the specimens, if possible, still more beautified year by year as time rolls on. 
“ It is no fanciful idea, but a clear and apparent fact, the undoubted superiority, both in form 
and feather, of the Eastern Owl and Turbit (and other kinds too), over the British specimens. It 
must be clear to those who have beheld the various foreign frilled varieties which have been imported 
into this country through my instrumentality. The British fancier, if not the producer of these 
specialities, is too well skilled in judgment, and appreciates the beautiful too well, to ignore this 
truth, in spite of the hosts of other sorts which claim his attention, and which he may rightly claim 
as his own manufacture and as justly be proud of his own achievements. But the fancy for pigeons 
in the East has run so high, and so long been cherished in the hearts of Asiatic pigeon keepers, and 
there has been such an unison of ideas, and general love for frilled and tufted short-beaked pigeons, 
that ill-shaped common specimens are in a decided minority. The chief difference in points of for- 
mation is mainly nature’s transition from youth to age, at which time the majority of the specimens 
attain pretty much the same model, viz., the finely-curved Roman head, arched neck, needle-pointed 
central crest, symmetrical yet compact form, graceful bearing, elastic tread, and dignified carriage, 
together with the vigour and agility of hardy and far less refined specimens. 
