The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-13
FANCY PIGEONS AND THEIR VALUE.
Costly Because They Are Scarce and Beauti-
ful-Some of Their Characteristics

Costly Because They Are Scarce and Beauti-
ful-Some of Their Characteristics.
New York Tribune
''Please tell me something about pigeons, said
a Tribune reporter the other day to one of the
most extensive dealers in those birds in the city,
The varieties you see here are limited, he
said, tas keep only stock that is fancy in the
strictest sense and therefore dear. Here are
Jacoblns, so called, presume, from the peculiar
shape of their head feather, which resemb les
the Phrygian cap. They very beautiful
birds, and with the barbs, pouters ana carriers
bring high prices. I have known pair of barts
TO bring $500, and I myself have sold one for
$l40. They are dear because they are scarce
and they are beautiful, the two things that give
value to diamonds and very pretty women.
Pouters are also rare birds; they do not breed as
fast as the ordinary pigeon. and are therefore in
demand. Carriers are valuable because they are
useful, and it is to me matter of surprise that
they are not utilized IN this country more than
they are They are now raised and kept for the
amusement Of connoisseurs, and yet the time
may come when it will be matter of regret that
the birds have been neglected"
"How do you make that outp
"Wel you know they are useful in war for
carrying dispatches when all other means of COM
munication are in possession of the enemy.
They were used by the rebels in the War of the
Rebellion, and extensively in France IN the
Franco-German war; Now the newspapers say
our navy is not worth much, and our coast is
comparatively defenselesS If this is true, what
is to prevent British or even a Turkish feet
taking possession of New York. Philadelphia
and Baltimore, and the force accompanying them
breaking up or possessing the railroad and tele-
graph lines centering in those citiesf Answer
me that"
"True but what kind of bird is this, the
white and brown2p
'sThat is tumbler. These birds also bring
high prices. They love to fly high into the air,
until they are almost lost to sight, and then,
turning somersault after somersault, descend
with great rapidity until they almost touch the
ground"
why do they do thatg"
II really can't say. Pigeons are not eommun-
icative, as rule but presume it amuses them.
There are different sorts of 4umblers. Some
make mighty efforts to perform somersault,
but cannot accomplish it; they can only go half
way, which is termed fall and again others
of them can do three.quarters. which is tipping
the head and tall If you cross an accomplished
tumbler with one that can only do
fall. the result will be mean, but you can cross
fall pigeon with head and tail pigeon for a
century without producing perfect lumber.
That pretty milk-white bird is a nun, so called
from her feathery hood. and he with the big
craw is pouter. Pouters grow to a large size
Oh, yes. pigeons breed very fast, almost as fast
as rah ats, and if it were not for the fact that
they have go many enemies, would soon become
a nuisance. The common run have young ones
once every two months. and it is not unusual to
pair feeding sheir 'squealers' while break
ing the shell to assist later progeny into this
wicked world. / should say there are
hundreds of thousands of them in
New York, chiefly owned by Germans,
who are greet raisers and importers of pigeons
and canaries. What we call fancy BIRDS how
ever, are not good breeders: if they were, they
would be no longer fancy OF course large num-
beers of pigeons are eaten. Most people like a
pigeon pie. and there are epicures among US who
consume large numbers of pigeons eggs,
and cooked. The ladies say they are good for
the complexion. Owing to this and the causes
already stated-seeing that the average pigeon
lives eight years-the birds do not increase as rap
idly as they otherwise would if left undsturbed
See! This is runt, and is even bigger than a
pouter. The species is very scarce and sells
well. Indeed, it ID only bought by fanciers
among whom there is continuous trading"