The New York herald., 1879-02-05
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PIGEONS ON EXHIBITION.

FOURTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE COLUM-
BARIAN SOCIETY AT THE AQUARIUM.
The fourth annual exhibition of the National Co.
lumbarian Society was begun yesterday morning at
the New York Aquarium under the most favorable
auspices, and with every promise of success. For
merly exhibitions of this kind Of interest only
to comparatively few people What are termed
''fancy pigeons" were appreciated mainly by the
breeder or the importer. but since the "Annual
Show has been in operation the general public
seems to have become awakened to the beauties OF
the manifold varieties exhibited. Between 1000 and
1900 birds have been gathered together from various
parts Of the country and, although cassed under the
general head Of pigeon, varied are their forms.
pumage and characteristics that the casual visitor
would suppose that many of them belonged to dis
tinct species
They all come. however. from the crock pigeon"
of Europe the blue rock being noted among pigeon
shots for it's rapidity Of flight from the trap. The
main points of difference in the birds in the form
and size of the bill, the plumage of the head the
cartagineous eye, wings and covers of the nostrs,
the crop. the size form, order and color of their
feathers. the length and plumage of the feet, the
power of fight, the bones Of the head and numerous
internal organs.
BIRDS OF FEATHER.
There are thrty-eght classes OF birds arranged in
Guilty in noting the points of interest in each class
The most the pouters and carriers, the
greatest interest, from money point Of view.
tring in the latter. The pouters. however, never
fail to draw a crowd They larger than the ordi-
nary pigeon, dignifed in bearing for time until
fanced insult, and then they swell out to
within inch of the bursting point. The other
trumpeters, fantails turbits, swallows jacobins,
priests magpes and nuns the latter being placed in
row. Antwerps, bald heads. boards, runts, Berlins,
starlngs spots, smells, moor caps. ices, fr backs,
archanges, breasters, shew Antwerps and others.
AR1sToCRATIc FOREIGNERS
While the home bred birds entered for the numer-
prizes offered by the society absorb the interest
of those directly connected with breeding there arc
some choice specimens Of foreign birds which at
Antwerp Homings, imported by Mr.. L. Waefclaer,
which have record of having flown home from dis
tances varying from three hundred to six hundred
miles. A pair which had found their way from Rome
to Antwerp are on their way here but it is feared
Ncobar pigeon is rarity exhibited by Mr. Charles
Keiche for the first time in this country 1t has
make faster time not through the air on its WINGS
but on the ground on its feet than any other bird
known.
BIRDS OF PASSAGE
About three o'clock yesterday afternoon. in ac-
cordance with the programme laid down. flight of
carrier pigeons took place. Four boxes containing
forty birds each brought out the sidewalk
and the covers taken off simultaneously. The wind
was blowing sharply from the westward, but the
one hundred feet and then separated though seek
ing different directions considerable number kept
together, however. and circled round and round,
widening the circle they reached greater altitude
An immense crowd of people witnessed the flight
from Broadway. and the birds certainly presented
beautiful sight with their wings flashing in the
sunlight they circed higher and higher until finally
they darted off to the westward. their destination
being in New Jersey Others Of the birds have their
homes in Albany. Philadelphia. Baltimore and other
cities. ard dispatches will be sent to the Aquarium
relative to their safe arrival.
FORTUNES PIGEONS.
Some of the birds on exhibition are worth almost
fabulous sums the prices mentioned below not being
'fancy but what have been actually refused by tho
owners. Mr.. Andrew Sched. OF Brooklyn, shows the
red pied pouter Centennial which took the first pre-
MUM at the Centennial Exhibition. He has re-
peatedly refused $3.50 for his pet Mr.. p. c. Biegel
has dun carrier cock. When its mate alive he
refused for the pair's6O0 Mr.T c. Gadds, of Bal
timore, has the finest collection of short faced
tunbicrs several pairs being valued at $500 per pair
Mr.. L. H. Moore of Melrose. Mass. has a red barb.
which cost $50 TO import and Mr.. Crawford. the
re.ary of the society, exhibits magnificent collection
of African owls, valued all the way from $25 to 500
per pair Ho refused $50 yesterday for white
African owl only three months old.
The awards will be made this afternoon, but the ex-
hibition will probably remain open till Saturday.