182 
PIGEON-FANCIERS. 
about this same period of 1600, the Dutch, according to 
Aldrovandus, were as eager about pigeons as the Romans 
had formerly been. The breeds which were kept during 
the fifteenth century in Europe and in India, apparently 
differed from each other. Tavernier, in his ‘Travels,’ in 
1677, speaks as does Chardin, in 1735, of the vast num¬ 
bers of pigeon-houses in Persia ; and the former remarks, 
that as Christians were not permitted to keep pigeons, 
some of the vulgar actually turned Mahometans for this 
sole purpose. The Emperor of Morocco had his favourite 
keeper of pigeons, as is mentioned in Moore’s treatise, 
published 1737. In England, from the time of 1678 to 
the present day, as well as in Germany and in France, 
numerous treatises have been published on the pigeon. 
In India, about a hundred years ago, a Persian treatise 
was written ; and the writer thought it no light affair, for 
he begins with a solemn invocation, ‘ In the name of God, 
the gracious and merciful.’ Many large towns in Europe 
and the United States now have their societies of 
devoted pigeon-fanciers : at present there are three such 
societies in London. In India, as I hear from Mr. Blyth, 
the inhabitants of Delhi and of some other great cities 
are eager fanciers. Mr. Layard informs me that most of 
the known breeds are kept in Ceylon. In China, accord¬ 
ing to Mr. Swinhoe of Amoy, and Dr. Lockhart of 
Shangai, carriers, fantails, tumblers, and other varieties 
are reared with care, especially by the bonzes, or priests. 
