344 
The Illustrated Book of Plgeons. 
in fashioning out strange or peculiar properties, some of which, it may be, in their developed state, 
amount to positive ugliness, yet still possess distinctive and meritorious features, and thus serve to 
make more complete the assortment out of which fanciers of all tastes and styles may find birds 
suitable to their varied preferences. We know that it is by these wondrous extremes of contrast that 
one is enabled to realise the highest type of perfection. Even the splendour of the Bird of Paradise 
or the gorgeous raiment of the Peacock would gradually but surely become less attractive and 
lose its charm if constantly beheld ; but by the contrast of less attractive and less pretentious 
birds, the beauties become at once more conspicuous and their splendour more intensified. So it is 
with our numerous breeds of pigeons : all possess their merits, all command our attention, and 
should enlist our admiration. 
“ The points of excellence of the so-called ‘ high class ’ varieties are now stereotyped in the 
minds of most fanciers, and there is little doubt or difference of opinion as to their merits ; the 
chief difficulty nowadays with them is in having patience during their gradual growth and 
development ; but I confess I would like to see some of the neglected fully-established breeds 
extricated from the ‘Variety Class,’ and brought a little nearer to the front at our shows, and also 
a little more appreciated by the fancy at large. I think efforts should now and then be made, and 
more of a stimulus given, to encourage the development and perfection of new varieties ; and to do 
this, no revolution of the fancy is needed, but simply more encouragement shown to those fanciers 
who endeavour to propagate and perpetuate new kinds. This may be done by additional classes 
from time to time, to be filled by the several sorts as their special characteristics become 
permanently fixed and established ; each kind thus competing upon its merits, instead of the 
present most unsatisfactory system of selection out of numbers of shapes, colours, and styles, 
wherein the individual taste or preference only of the adjudicator is called into requisition. 
“ I am an ardent admirer of every kind of pigeon, and desirous of giving its due position to 
each variety, and have not undertaken to contribute notes on the German breeds as being my 
particular favourites. Whilst I have at different times possessed all sorts of pigeons, I have perhaps 
rather a preference more especially for the Short-faced Eastern Frilled varieties, described by my 
friend Mr. Caridia, hundreds of which sort alone I have kept and much admired. Nevertheless, 
I can see merit in all kinds, and therefore, as I happen to have some acquaintance with them, I am 
rather pleased to give a lift along to those varieties which are comparatively neglected. Surely 
the composition of the ‘Variety Class’ furnishes abundant ground for consideration, for in the 
medley of styles therein is the very essence of the fancy and the embryos of future progress. 
“ It is some years ago since I first heard of the pigeon fancy having attained or about to 
reach its zenith, so far as concerned both number of entries and quality of the specimens; but how 
utterly fallacious such notions must now appear ! No such fear need exist so long as such complete 
ignorance prevails respecting those kinds which fill the ‘ Variety Class.’ True it is that this class is 
at the tail end of the schedule, the catalogue, and the show report. The show critic rarely says 
too much about it ; he too often is more particularly devoted to the interests of the ‘ high class ’ 
varieties which head the list, and ere he arrives at the ‘Varieties’ he grows weary of his work, 
his superlatives are pretty well exhausted, and this unfortunate yet instructive class and fruitful 
source of study is too often hastily wound up thus : — ‘ An interesting class : one of the German 
Toys well first ; a funny, short-faced, frilled bird second ; and a peculiar, long-faced bird third.’ 
This is a fair sample of how upwards of thirty different sorts of German pigeons alone, with 
their numerous sub-varieties, are briefly disposed of; such a lot, indeed, as would of themselves 
constitute a truly grand display of beautiful birds. 
“ If we look further into the matter, and seek for the stimulus, we find it a hopeless search. 
