320 
The Illustrated Book oe Pigeons, 
cultivation of pigeons has yielded so much truly enjoyable and innocent recreation. Yet, although 
I had the pleasure of presenting the most of these Short-faced Tumblers to a representative of the 
Sultan for additional adornment to his royal aviary, I must say that excepting for head and beak 
properties these beautiful little Tumblers were not so much esteemed as I hoped they would have 
been. Still, I had the satisfaction of placing them in the possession of the said agent, whose special 
mission was the collection of similar kinds as I myself was keeping. In order to meet cur 
respective wants the native stocks have in consequence become considerably reduced in numbers, 
which has naturally greatly enhanced the value of those remaining ; still, from the very favourable- 
climate, this temporary scarcity is rapidly made up, and my old friend and fancier there has 
instructions to collect and retain in stock all the available worthy products for further importation. 
“ Many fanciers have had an opportunity of seeing some of the most beautiful specimens of 
their respective kinds which have been produced in this country by myself, by Mr. Ludlow, and a 
few other admirers, into wliQse hands some of the birds have passed. This should certainly be a 
sufficient proof (if need there be) of the stability or permanency of the breeds. In conclusion, I 
appeal to not only fanciers, but to all true lovers of the beautiful. Look at any of the birds 
enumerated in this chapter, reckon up their points as you like, read from time to time of their 
victories achieved, as they have been, in that most unsatisfactory yet most interesting of all classes, 
the Variety class, and say what verdict do you pronounce upon these Oriental pigeon products ? 
Does it not at least teach us an unmistakable lesson, that even in this pigeon-loving land we 
must yield the palm to the worshippers of Mohamet as being the originators, the foremost 
fanciers, the almost idolisers of nearly all our fancy pigeons, and especially these beautiful 
short-faced, frill-breasted, compact, and beautiful birds?" 
