250 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, July 20, 1858. 
But not so with the old-fashioned blue Minorca, with the im¬ 
mense comb, red face, and Hamburgh ear-lobe. These threw 
chickens marvellously true in essentials, although I knew 
they had been tainted with the Spanish. They would throw 
back, I am happy at last to have learnt, the true description 
of an Andalusian; and I hope, next season, to breed some 
-well-defined Andalusians.—W. H., Exeter. 
PIGEONS. 
(Continued from page 232.) 
RAISING A PLIGHT OP TUMBLERS. 
Pigeon fancying seems to be of very ancient date. In the 
Scriptures frequent mention is made of Pigeons and Doves. 
They appear to have been much kept by the ancient Hebrews, 
and were among the sacrifices made as peace offerings. Christ 
also expelled those that sold Doves out of the Temple. The 
love of these birds is widely spread among the nations of the 
earth. The Romans built handsome towers for their accom¬ 
modation, and Pliny complains of the high price paid for 
some in his time. In India a great rage for them exists 
among the inhabitants, and I have met with an account of 
the flying fancy in Delhi. The Persians are also fond of 
Pigeons, and all Mahomedans regard them as sacred, on 
account of one having once saved the life of the Prophet: 
it is reported he trained one to peck in his ear, by which 
he pretended the Holy Ghost was whispering to him. 
In Kohl’s account of Russia, the fondness of the merchants 
for this bird is also alluded to, and by them it is regarded a 
sacrilege to kill a bird in whose form the Holy Ghost de¬ 
scended on our Saviour. 
Among all the amusements incident to Pigeon-keeping, 
none I consider so engaging as a well-ordered flight of 
Tumblers,—their high soaring flight and aerial gymnastics 
attracting the admiration of the beholder. I will, therefore, 
offer a few remarks on the raising and managing a flight of 
Tumbler Pigeons. Of this breed there is a greater variety 
of colour and marking than of any other ; so that the amateur 
need not be at a loss as to choice in that respect. The high¬ 
bred, fancy, short-faced Tumblers are generally too weakly and 
delicate to sustain a long flight; consequently the birds 
selected for this purpose should be somewhat stouter, and of 
stronger constitutions ; not that I admire the coarse, mousey, 
common birds ; but I prefer a well-made, short-beaked, round- 
headed bird, and one that tumbles well and cleanly,—not 
more than two or three summersaults at the most at one 
throw; for, if they roll over too often, like the Dutch birds, 
they are apt to leave the flight and bring down the others, 
which is very objectionable. 
Procure, if possible, a few high-flying birds, to train the 
young ones to rise high when out.‘ This is of much im¬ 
portance, and will save much trouble. The flying Tumblers 
should be kept in a roomy loft by themselves. A trap, or 
area, as 1 have before described, is indispensable, in order to 
manage the Pigeons successfully. Once a clay they should be 
turned out to fly; the fore part of the day is the best, as 
when the sun shines too hot they do not fly so willingly. 
When in practice, they will mount at once high into the sky, 
occasionally clapping their wings, and turning over backwards 
till they rise to their full height or “ pitch,” often going quite 
out of sight, but keeping pretty much over their abode. They 
will thus continue on the wing for two or three hours ; 
when they begin to descend they tumble very much. When 
down they should be enticed in, and kept confined for the rest 
of the clay, and not allowed to loiter about outside, or asso¬ 
ciate with other Pigeons. Their loft should be made as com¬ 
fortable as possible, and be provided with everything they 
require, such as clean water, a bath, the well-filled hopper, 
a salt-cat, grits, green food, and materials for nesting,—so as to 
prevent any desire to roam about, when out, to obtain these 
enjoyments ; if not, it will soon be found that, instead of 
f ying ofl at once, and mounting high in the air, they will 
make for some roof, or other spot, where they can find that 
lor which they are longing; therefore, it is of great im¬ 
portance to remove any temptation, by supplying ail their 
wants in their own loft. By this means, they will at once 
soai when let out, though, perhaps, at first it may be necessary 
to drive them up, by waving a flag, or otherwise frightening 
them. A few birds used to high flying assist much in teaching 
the young ones, as they become strong on the wing, to soar; 
but it is very difficult, or almost impossible, to teach those 
that have long been accustomed to fly about at random, to fly 
high regularly. The best way to proceed with such is, after 
they are accustomed to the place, to send them off by a servant 
to the distance of half a mile or so, while the others are out; 
they will then most likely rise very high and join them. By 
continuing this for some weeks, they will get accustomed to 
fly. Any that are determined not to rise need not be let 
out with the flight, or even at all. 
When in full practice, they will start off from the trap di¬ 
rectly it is opened ; and, after rising high, and flying a good 
time, according to the state of the air, will descend and sit 
on the roof, gradually going in through tipping holes and 
boltwires, as the trap ought to be closed, and not opened till 
the next day. It will be advisable not to let them out during 
a fog, or storm of wind or snow ; nor can they fly well or 
long in rain, though they may enjoy a warm shower on the 
roof. Blue-bearded, and black and blue Baldheaded Tumblers 
are generally considered the best for high flying. But the 
birds must be kept in constant practice, or they become fat 
and lazy, and will soon feel fatigued. There are times, at a 
certain state of the air, when they will continue longer on the 
wing than usual. At such times, hens heavy with egg should 
not be let out, just before laying, or they will sometimes drop 
their eggs on the wing. While sitting, if they are turned out 
before ten o’clock in the morning, particularly in cool 
weather, it will be advisable to see that the hens are on the 
nests; for, if both birds are allowed to go out together for a 
long flight, the eggs will be cooled and spoiled. After the 
cocks have returned, and taken their place on the nests, the 
hens may be allowed to have a fly to themselves, or with the 
heartier and better flyers, who would be likely to rise again. 
I have noticed that, when in good training, the Pigeons 
rarely eat much, till after they have had 'their exercise. But, 
when they return to the loft, the hopper is generally much in 
request, particularly by such as are feeding their young. 
It is, indeed, a very pretty sight, to see a nice flight of 
Tumblers, flying high in the clear blue sky, keeping close 
together, and appearing no larger than gnats, or frequently 
almost lost to sight; and, as they rise or descend, to watch 
their movements and tumbling, their wings glistening in the 
sun. But to the owner it becomes still more interesting, as 
he is enabled to trace their colours, and notice the per¬ 
formance of each known individual. 
I 
I 
I 
Whatever the marking of the birds, or the varieties kept, if 
more than one sort of marking,—such as Bearded, Bald- 
headed, and Magpied, or Helmeted,—care should be taken 
that they are paired to similarly marked mates, or useless, 
ugly birds will be produced. Whole colours and mottles 
may be allowed to pair with better results. Pigeons are very 
constant to their mates, and, when once paired, rarely sepa¬ 
rate during health. Plying Tumblers give less trouble in 
breeding than any other variety of Pigeon, where any pre- i 
tension to fancy is desired.—B. P. Brent. 
{To be continued .) 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Gapes in Chickens [Azalea ).—It is Stockholm Tar that is used in 
the treatment recommended by “ The Authoress of My Flowers.” 
LONDON MARKETS.— July 19th. 
POULTRY. 
e h ave to record a diminution in prices and demand this week, 
the population ot London is fast leaving it for a time, and the markets 
leel the mliuence of the exodus, 
Each. 
Leveret3. 2s. 6 d. to 3s. Ed. 
Pigeons . 0 8 ,,0 9 
Guinea Fowls .00 ,,00 
Rabbits . 15 ,,16 
Wild ditto. 0 8 ,,0 9 
London : Printed by Hugh Barclay, 'Winchester, High-street, in the 
Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar ; and Published for the Proprietors, at 
Ike Cottage. Gardener Office, No. 20, Paternoster Row, in the 
Parish of Christ Church, City of London.—July 20th, 1858. 
t,acn. 
Large Fowls .. 
. 6s. Gd. to 7s. 
0 (l 
Small ditto... 
, 3 6,, 
4 
0 
Chickens. 
. 20 ,, 
3 
3 
Goslings. 
6 0 „ 
6 
6 
Ducks . 
2 6,, 
3 
3 
