The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1903-01-19
new YORK PlGGtN show
Il BETTER QUALITY or BIRDS
SHOWN THAN EYER BEFORE.

hibits-tiow the Bird. Are Judged
Their Habits and VaIuo-EaEtniIs
and JncnbIms Particularly Popular
The Amusing Turnb ers.
One of the most Interesting features
OF the fourtheenth annual show Of the
New York Poultry, Pigeon. and Pet
Stock Association, which closed Jan 10,
at Madison Square Garden, is the dis
play OF pigeons. Some two thousands
birds are exhibited representing every
breed and variety known to the fanejer,
at least seven hundred Of these could
not be purchased for less than S54.
while teAre are many even whose value
is placed at from 500 to $50. From
the full feathered Runt. the largest
breed known, some Of which tip the
scales at over two pounds, to the tiny
African owl pigeons that hardly heigh
more than three ounces every size,
color, and variety has place and each
III turn becomes the centre Of attraction
for the interested visitor or enthusiastic
fancier
1t is next to impossible to pick out
any favored breed, as each has its
particular devotes but the strongest
classes at the present show are the fan
tails and jacobins. The pouters, tumb-
1ers, blondinettcs, carriers. homers,
magptes turblts, and many others hold
their particular place with one or an
other, and Representatives of each are
shown in perfect condition that speaks
well for the fanciers' art, but with the
visitors the fantails unquestionably
hold the popular place. They strut and
walk around with every show Of pride,
spreading out their tails, and throwing
back their heads as if they knew full
that they were there to be be petted
and admired. The quality Of the
exhibits this year is better than ever
before, and competition in various
classes was so close that the judges
were called on for extra care in the
awarding Of blue ribbons.
James Blair. a Well-known fancier,
pointed out yesterday the exceptional
qualities Of some Of the winnings birds,
with the points that must be considered
by Judge in awarding q prize. His
talk showed what an interesting study
Is before one who has any fondness for
the feathered family. Pouters, fantails,
and jaccobins are always judged in a
walking pen, as the carriage and gen.
eral style count strongly in favor of the
contestant The judges carry short
Wands with which to stir Up the birds,
and talking and cooling to them at the
same time, seem to convey to the birds
that they must be on their good be-
havior. The fantails in particular seem
to know they are called on to show the
best advantage, for although standing
or sitting listlessly in their pens, the
first word from the judge, accompanied
with playful poke of the wand, rouses
them at once, and they respond by
strutting up and down. spreading out
their graceful fans, throwing back their
heads, and swelling out their breasts. as
If filled with joy and pride at being
noticed. 1t is a novel and interesting
sight to see them strut about. Occa-
sionally In their anxiety to get their
heads back too far they lose their bal
ance and spoil whatever chance they
might have for blue ribbon. Mr.. Blair
said that there were very few ever eX-
hihited now who came to grief in this
way. The fight feathers on a fantail
are a strong point in judging, and if
the feathers are to short they slip and
cause the bird to lose its balance in
throwing back Its head. There are a
great many Of these, but rarely ex-
hibited, as they would have no chance
in a competition.
One Of the best pigeons in the show
is a blue fantail cock. No. 2,293, who
won the blue ribbon this year for the
third time in succession. He is appar-
emily a perfect specimen. His owner
has refused 5000 for him and says that
he could not be purchased at any price.
The black fantails are more common
than a few years ago, 1t is difficult
matter to get bird true to type in
black, but Havemeyer Brothers
show some fine specimens this year. In
speaking Of the training of a bird for
show purpoes, Mr.. Blair said; at is
quite necessary for a bird to go through
special training before being exhibited.
A green bird no matter how we'll point
ed in other respects, would get so ner-
yous as to completely spoil his carriage
and style, which counts SO strongly
This is true In all classes more or less
but particularly so among the fantails
and jacobins.
The jacobin, next to the fantail, is
one Of the most attractive breeds to the
non-fancier. 1t is found in seven dis
tinct colors, and when being judged
shows almost the same pride as the
fantail. A tap on the pen is enough to
make one straighten up the hood Of
feathers that almost covers the head
and show all the playfulness of kit
ten. The hood, the softness Of the
feathers, and the long slender flight
feathers are the main points in judging
The pauters are not so pretty to look
at. but they are an interesting breed
and add greatly to the show. These
three breeds are essentially loft birds.
Among the outside birds the tum-
blers are the most amusing, On being
released a lumber will so cjrcling up
through the air, when suddenly it
comes tumbling down swiftly, head
over heels, in succession Of somer-
saults, then catching itself quickly by
the aid Of the nuffs on the feet, it goes
up again to repeat the operation. BY
in-breeding a variety is now shown,
called inside tumhlers," or rollers, that
make good parlor performers. They
are unable to go more than a foot in
the air without tunbling, and they can
hardly rise n foot from thp floor with