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DEDICATED TO THE YOUNG AND INEXPERIENCED FANCIER OF TAME, DOMESTICATED, AND FANCY PIGEONS.

TREATISE

BREEDING AND MANAGING TAME, DOMESTICATED,

AND

FANCY PIGEONS. -

CAREFULLY COMPILED FROM THE BEST AUTHORS, WITH OBSERVATIONS, CONTAINING ALL THAT I§ NECESSARY TO BE KNOWN OF TAME, DOMESTICATED, AN? = FANCY PIGEONS.

5; BY JOHN MATTHEWS EATON, AUTHOR oF THE Anwonp TUMBLER.

“ All that a Man knows, or ever will know, is by Observation or Reflection.” Locke.

PUBLISHED FOR, AND TO BE OBTAINED OF, THE AUTHOR, 7, ISLINGTON GREEN, LONDON,

1852,

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TO MY

YOUNG AND INEXPERIENCED BROTHERS

IN

THE FANCY.

When I had concluded my Treatise on the Almond Tumbler, and about to bid you farewell after having given you all my observations and reflections on the subject, I called your attention to the “ Wise Man’s Saying,” p. 49, “There is a time for all things, and the time had arrived for us to part.”” Judge of my surprise, with my pen in hand, endeavouring to compile a Work on Tame, Domestic, and Fancy Pigeons in general, as encouraged by the acknewledged best Fanciers that — ever lived, and, in page 5, informed you that I considered there was nothing so base as ingratitude, and I cannot bring my mind to bear otherwise, and brand myself with ingratitude, if I did not attempt to compile a Work worthy of your acceptance, after the highly complimentary Testimonials of the Press; besides many letters from all parts of the country to the same effect, and at the same time pressing me to write a Work on Fancy Pigeons in general; I repeat, judge of my surprise, appearing before you again in so short a time; it was the last of my thoughts after having completed my Almond Tumbler, for on that, I can assure you, I caught a Tartar,

Should the Work, or compilation, which it is my intention to lay before you, not please you, after reading it over, blame yourselves and not me, for endeavouring to carry out your earnest entreaties ; for I can assure you it is no joke to bring out a Work on the subject, for it will make enemies of a few waspish, crabby, old Fanciers, (who sit behind their half-and-half and blow their baccy, whose names are not known in the Fancy out of the holes and corners they sit in, “but they are not all the Fanciers in the World!”) who do not wish the young Fancier to know more than answers their purpose. The first time the idea struck me of writing the Almond Tumbler, I mentioned my intention, which caused some to laugh: when silence was restored, a gentleman remarked that if I wrote one he would answer it; it may be this put a damper upon me and my work at the time, and I abandoned it: time rolled on—I gained more experience—all the world in Exhibition, I was desirous of bringing out something ; after racking my brains (which I think, generally, is about as clear as mud ina wine glass) the idea of the Almond Tumbler struck me, and which I brought out.

ark the remarks that was made upon it by men who did know better, that they “did not believe I had the ability to produce such a work.” I believe, two or three informed me, that the portrait of the Almond Tumbler as frontispiece, was excellent, for which I went to considerable expence, being determined to give the Young Fancier a high standard to breed up to; they had cut the portrait out, went to considerable expense for frame, but burnt the book, (very pleasant to hear !) Others went so far as to give the credit to my much respected and esteemed Brother Fancier, Mr, Dean Wotstennoume, as the Author; but who was the engraver of the Portrait of the Almond Tumbler.

I cannot help thinking but that I am justified in stating the facts of the case efore my Brother Fanciers,—after having written .my work, and prior to Sonsigning it to the Press, I thought it “nothing but right” to read it over to Some friend or friends. I prevailed upon Mr. Woxstennoitme, whose judgment upon Pigeons in general is second to no man, and whose honesty in these matters qualifies him for an impartial umpire upon any occasion; and also upon

my much esteemed respected old school-fellow, a young and inexperienced Fancier,

1v.

who had not much time, and less money to lay out in the Fancy, and was a common-sense man ; before these two friends of mine I read over the manuscript ; Mr. WoustENHOLME. gave me two ideas and no more, which I will give yon. p. 9.

First.—Sir Joun Szsriaut said, he would produce any given feather in three years; but it would take him six years to obtain head and beak.

Second.—(p. 32, on my writing of Beak.) “ By breaking the upper mandible when the bird is a few days old; but it may be detected, from the injury it has received, similar to our own flesh when we have received a severe pinch; it may also be detected in the bird when grown up, by the position of the beak, it has an unhatural appearance, the beak pointing upwards.” For these two ideas I feel grateful to my friend and brother Fancier—the Animal Artist. The case was very different with my much respected, esteemed, and old school-fellow, Henry Masor, who would not tell a lie to oblige a friend, or hurt a foe. He was not an experienced Fancier, not having been long enough in the Fancy. He stated most positively to me, that he could not give a single idea. But he thought, without altering the idea, by transposing some of ‘the sentences, would read better. He did so; we read them over, and greatly approved of the transposition, for which I feel grateful. I am aware there are a few Fanciers who would have given the credit (provided there was any due) to Mr. H. Masor, it would not do, simply because he was not a sufficient Fancier.* It appears to me some few of the hole-and- corner Fanciers was quite willing to give the credit, as I said before, provided there was any due to any one save me, the Author.

* Allow me in this part to give you a portion of a Letter I received from my much respected old school-fellow, Henry Magor, on board the ‘‘ Peru,” lying wait to sail for Geelong, Port Phillip, Australia :~—

** 2nd Sept, 1852. “ Dear Eaton,

“In case you were not able to come down here to see us once more, I thought I would drop you a line to say, We are well, and going on - as well or better than we could expect, &c. &c. I trust that every incident that may happen may serve to reconcile us to a voyage, and to life on the other side of the Globe, &c. &c. Remember me to Dean WoLsTEeNnnoLmg, and every Brother Fancier (if I may have the vanity to call myself one), convey my best wishes and téll them, when I am far away I shall still bear them in remembrance.

“ Farewell, ......««. and believe me to remain,

“* Yours most sincerely, « HENRY MAJOR.”

Why was I so great an admirer of Magor, he was a man of integrity and a lover of truth, and would yield to no man if he thought he was right; in argument, on different topics, at times, we were mountains high, (but we agreed to differ, believing each other sincere,) and to use an expression of his elder brother, Mr. Grorcre Masor, that he carried about him so large a quantity of Carboni Gas, he was afraid to come near him for fear of being ‘“‘ Blown Up,” :

Vv.

But for the unkindness I had received from some few, prior to my writing the Imond Tumbler, I promised them I would be a thorn in their side before I had one with them, and that was the thorn, that not only stuck in their side, but

their throat also; at the same time, should I bring out the work I am attempting at, I expect it will stick in their gizzard ; for endeavouring to open the eyes of the young and inexperienced, by instructing him to read, mark, learn, and inwardly to-digest, to open his eyes and look out of the windows of his under- standing, to think for himself, and not to take all for granted what he hears ata Pigeon Show for Gospel. Although my Almond Tumbler has now been published eighteen months, the gentleman who promised to answer it has not at present, and I sincerely hope your head and mine will not ache until he does,

I cannot find language ‘to ‘express my gratitude to the Gentlemen of the Press, for the very high testimonials they have thought fit ‘to give upon my ‘Work— the Almond ‘Tumbler; with ‘these flattering testimonials, combined with many entreaties from Fanciers of all parts of the country, urging me to bring out a work on Tame, Domesticated, and Fancy Pigeons:—Do you think I am to be cowed by unkindness? If you do, you do not know what the little Bit of Stuff that is writing is composed of. It is‘true, I am too sho know that I am tall enough for a superior Officer ; soldier has lost ‘his life in a field of battle, simply be

Taken from Franxuin’s Way to Weattu, or Poor Ricuarp Improvep :-— “Xperience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other,” as poor ichard Says, and scarce in that; for it is true, “ We may give advice, but we cannot give conduct,” However, remember this, “They that will not be counselled cannot be helped ;”’ and further, that “If you will not hear reason, she will surely rap your knuckles,” as poor Richard says, and is beautifully observed, “TI was conscious not a tenth part of the Wisdom was my own which he ascribed

to me, but rather the gleanings that I had made of the sense of all ages and nations,” ; .

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Mr. Moore in his Work, Paragraph 5, says, “I have wisely learnt from it to seek a proper refuge against any ill-natured censures,” To this purpose I beg leave to prefix your name, Sir Witt1am STAPLETON, Bart, to this Work, and to assure the World that you who have purchased Pigeons at very considerable prices do not think the subject below your regard. ;

But the question jis, Where am I to fly to for refuge against any ill-natured feelings? I purpose Screening myself isimply under these words of F ranklin, acknowledging that not .a tenth part of the Wisdom upon Tame, Domesticated, and ancy Pigeons was my own, but rather the gleanings that I have made of the Sense of the most experienced Fanciers that .ever lived. I have endeavoured to glean and cater for you, my inexperienced brother in Fancy, and believe me, I am,

as ever thine, to serve thee, a Brother Fancier, who has devoted time, care, and attention to-the subject.

JOHN MATTHEWS EATON.

4, Istincron Green, Lonpon,

7th Dec, 1852,

AN ADDRESS, &ec.

Owing to the noise of the rattling of carriages of every description before daylight, and not being able tosleep for the noise, I got up and lighted my candle, made up my mind to endeavour this day to contribute more to the Work that I am engaged upon, than any other day I shall have it in hand. This day, Thursday, 18th of November, 1852, is appointed for the solemn funeral of the mortal remains of the immortal Wellington ; such a sight will take place this day as never was witnessed before in England, and never will be witnessed again. Herichly merited all that a grateful Nation lavished or bestowed upon him. Filling the office he did, he could not help the loss of life; but he treasured and husbanded the lives committed to his charge, and did not spill a single drop of blood more than could by any possibility be helped ; taking into consideration what he had to accomplish, and it isa question whether any other man could be found that would have spilled so little ; notwithstanding, he had some of the greatest and bravest officers that ever lived. I almost tremble when I contemplate upon the loss of life and accidents that may take place this day, owing to a grateful Nation paying their last debt of gratitude to the spiritless body (for the spirit had returned to God, who gave it) of the Great Iron Duke. Take him for all in all, I believe him to be the greatest man that has been born into the World, since Jesus Christ, in whom he trusted, and I believe the Nation believes that he could glory and exult with a confidential hope, whenever he uttered these words ; for I know that my “ Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, and, though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another, though my reins be consumed within me.” Job, x1x. chap., 25th, 26th, 27th verses. I may be a false prophet with regard to my apprehensions as touching the loss of lives or accidents, although every precaution has been taken that ingenuity could invent.

I cannot help thinking but barricades act the very reverse to what they are intended for—a stop, bar, obstruction—to stop up, choak, squeeze, and jam the masses of the people together against the barricades, where there is no flinching or giving way. These barricades are about breast high, and the pressure from without is so great, being jammed together against the barricades, that by some means or other, after desperate efforts, the people are enabled to stoop their heads and shoulders, to endeavour to get on the other side of the barrier; and in their attempt from one side of the barrier (experiencing the pressure) they are not enabled to raise their head and shoulders again, but are trampled to death. For argument sake admit that the parties within the barrier are screened from the pressure without. Answer me this question; What becomes of those without, and are pressed upon the barrier, where it is useless to attempt to flinch? for instance, take Chancery Lane, Bridge Street, Blackfriars, Farringdon Street, or ‘the Old Bailey, and a hue and cry is raised that the funeral is coming; the rush is so tremendous, and the pressure so great from the top of Chancery Lane, in Holborn, to the bottom, close by Temple Bar; also at Bridge Street, from the people coming over Blackfriars Bridge and Farringdon Street; multitudes rushing down from Holborn, and also the Old Bailey, from the same cause. It is true there are barricades, but the simple question is, Whether there would not be fewer lives lost without them ? people pressing one upon another, which is elastic and

ia

vii. Sives way ; but it is a very different thing to be jammed against a barricade ; and it is the outer barricades where the multitudes are stopped that the squeezing and trampling to death takes place. I write from experience—I have had a few Squeezes in my time, and the last I experienced, poor as I am, would have given one hundred pounds to have been out of the pressure, which I never expected to be alive, and having a strong recollection of the fact, and not any desire to

have such another hug or embrace, I chose rather to stay at home and contemplate his great ac

such a sight had never taken place in England, and never would again, as will this

day. It is to be hoped that never such an opportunity will ever fall to the lot of an individual to gain so much glory (as it is called), but that the blessings of Peace may attend us. The Nation, in its wisdom, found out the only appropriate

me place for all that remains of him, and that was by the side of the immortal elson,

This grave, which is incomplete, craving the ashes of that great and good Statesman, the late Right Honourable Str Rozserr Prex, Bart. the greatest and

best Statesman this Country ever produced. He had the Poor at heart, and caused the Widow and the Orphan Chil

cause of making provisions cheap for the Poor. It was a great loss to the Nation at the time, there not being a Public Funeral for so goodaman. John Bull isa heavy, at the same time a deep thinking man. He is not altogether forgetful, and may reason, that the promise may be long delayed, but cannot come too late. This may be applicable to the raising of the monument to Nelson. Years may roll on before the Nation claims the ashes of the greatest and best-hearted statesman it ever produced, to perfect that grave that lays under the centre of the dome of Saint Paul’s; then will the Nation have its Trinity in Unity (I do not mean the incomprehensible union of the three persons in the Godhead.) But having the greatest Sailor, the greatest Soldier, and the greatest and best Statesman this country ever produced, laying side by side and their dust mingling together With.each other. I may not live to witness it, but believe it must take place to complete the grave. I rejoice to know that I was a False Prophet as regards the accidents I was fearful would take place on the solemn occasion, which was averted Owing to the judicious arrangements of the Authorities.

Mr. Moors, at the bottom of Paragraph 6, writes, give me leave to entertain you with the following story, &c. &c. I have only simply and plainly to inform you, that it is notmy intention to apologise to you in stating facts.

hievements, and endeavour to instruct you, my young Fancier. I said-

drens’ heart to leap for joy: He was the,

COLUMBARIUM.:

THE PIGEON-HOUSE: | INTRODUCTION

| NATURAL HISTORY TAME PIGEONS.

ACCOUNT OF THE SEVERAL SPECIES KNOWN IN ENGLAND, WITH THE METHOD OF BREEDING THEM, THEIR DISTEMPERS _ AND CURES.

The two chief Advantages, which a real Acquaintance with Nature brings to our Minds, are first, by in : :

Tape Instructing our Understandings and gratifying our + uriosities ; and next by exciting and cherishing our Devotion.

Boyie’s Experimenta, Parosorny, p. 2. a é

BY JOHN MOORE.

LONDON : Printed for J, Wixrorp, behind the Chapter-House in St, Paul’s Church-Yard.

i

1735,

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DEDICATION.

nan,

TO SIR WILLIAM STAPLETON, Baronet. SIR,

1.—If either Philosophy or Novelty have any allurements, the following performance, I flatter myself, will afford you some entertainment.

2.—Many subjects the Naturalists seem to have exhausted. Horses and Dogs, and most of th

have undergone the nicest enquiries; while the Pigeon, that contributes in some measure to both, a domestic as it were of ours, has been totally neglected.

3.—With a partiality usually shewn to the victor, the Hawk has engaged the pen of many -a writer: but his prey, that seems to fly to us for protection, has Scarce met with that, which even the wisdom of the Legislature has allowed it.

4.—I have endeavoured therefore in the following sheets to do some justice to this bird, and have prescribed the best methods, which long experience has furnished me with, for its propagation and preservation,

5.—I have wisely learnt from it to seek a proper refuge against any ill-natured censures. To this purpose I beg leave to prefix your name to this work, and to assure the World that. you who haye purchased Pigeons at very considerable prices, don’t think the subject below your regard, and that the Author is,

Your most obedient and most humble Servant, J. MOORE.

1.—To my young and inexperienced Fancier. I have thought fit to Number the

atagraphs of the late Mr. Jonn Moore’s Work, although it is not so in the .

Tiginal ; conceiving it to be the easiest mode I could adopt, it being my intention briefly of calling your attention to some of the Paragraphs contained in his Work, and aving carefully read over his work and entertaining so high an opinion of his work—COLUMBARIUM, or Tus Piczon Hovsz, I shall, as [ observed before,

be brief as possible, so as not to swell the book out beyond the reach of the more humble Fancier.

2 and 3.—Mr. Moore apppears deeply to regret the Pigeon should have been so long neglected by our Naturalists, while Horses, Dogs, and Hawks, have undergone the nicest enquiry.

4.—There is not any account upon record, that any Pigeon-Fancier (for no Other could do it) ever contributed so much original matter to the Pigeon-Fanciers as did the late Mr. Joun Moore, which I will endeavour to prove to you, by and

by, before Ihave gone through his Work ; he was the Pre-eminent of Pigeon- anciers,

5.—It would appear there were illnatured Fanciers in the Fancy at the period Mr Jouy Moore wrote his Book, 1735; being a good general, and _anticipating ioe illnatured censures, he sought protection under a Fancier, Sir Witiiam

APLETON

ere to inform you, who and what Mr. Moore was, and taking the most simple Way the best: it not being my intention of publishing his account of some Medicines Prepared by him, with a faithful narrative of some Cures effected by them; the a trent Of the Medicines and Cures takes up One quarter of the Book, and has nothing Telating or to do with Pigeons. Mr. M. describes himself thus :-—

T. JOHN Moors, Apothecary, at the Pestle and Mortar, in Lawrence Pountneys Lane, the first great gates on the left hand from Cannon Street, who formerly lived at the Pestie and Mortar, in Abchurch Lane, London,

e animals that serve for the conveniences or amusements of life,

Baronet, to whom he dedicated his Work. I think it will be Tight —

ae a on On

PREFACE.

DODD L AD DPD DPD IANOD PD INOPS RINNE III

6.—Though the History of Birds in general has been given us by many hands, and i Some parts in a very accurate manner, yet the study of this genus of birds Seems In a great measure to be neglected by most of our naturalists, who have

Siven us but very short cursory descriptions of some of the species. 3 i rith- - Standing seas Ane, a y ptio me of the species, in which notwith

a 3 guilty of many great mistakes, and entirely left out man

othersin their lists. Ithas amazed me on Sa sale pee fo see so great an indol th

branch spread itself in such an universal a eae peroular

Z ner through all our i i especially considering the vast opportunities they have fal oF sis awe Ea ec ave given their readers the utmost satisfaction by the most exact and ample descriptions, At is notorious to all mankind, what vast numbers of these birds in in all the species have been and are still kept in this kingdom, not only by persons in a lower rank of life, but even by persons of the greatest distinction and the first degrees of quality, who have held these birds in so great esteem, that they have endeavoured to attain at least an experimental knowledge of them, purchasing, ata great expense, as many of the distinct sorts as they could hear of and cultivating them in their own houses ; Riewarp Aruerton,Esq. of Atherton Hall in Lancashire, who was a gentleman both of will and ability to prosecute his fancy in this branch of natural history, was building a stately house in Lancashire, on the top of which

6.—Entertaining so high an opinion of Mr. Moorn’s Work, it is not my intention to quarrel with him, he appears to me to be somewhat hard to please, like many more in the World—in several parts of his Work he bitterly complains of the Naturalists and Ornithologists, of their indolence in not giving us an account of Fancy Pigeons, and those that did give us but very short cursory descriptions, and in this have been guilty of great mistakes. Mr Moorz might have saved himself a good deal of uneasiness if he had only have asked himself the question, How can a learned man write on a subject he did not understand? It must be the work of a Pigeon Fancier to write on Fancy Pigeons, considering the standards they are endeavoured to be brought up to; to sum it up those who did not write and those who did, did

Rot please Mr. Moorr. I imagine for a moment, two of your most eminent

Wranglers, who had never kept a Pigeon in their lives, was set to wrangle on the five properties of a Fancy Pigeon, a subject. they were totally unacquainted with,

Mowing no more of the five propertics of the Pigeon than the Pigeon knew about them ; it would therefore follow, as wise men, the less they said the better. I will now, my young Fancier, put it to you, will you remain quiet and not write, or write UPON a subject that you do not sufficiently understand. Mr. Moons, in continuation of the same paragraph, says: ‘‘ especially considering the vast opportunities they have had, or might have had, ‘“‘ what opportunities they might have had,” learned

XIV.

he designed to have four turrets, in which his pigeons were to be disposed according to the nearness of relation between the different species, but death put an end to the undertaking in the year 1726, to the immense grief of all those gentlemen of the Fancy who had the honour of his acquaintance: he was a very compleat judge of a Pigcon and would spare neither cost nor trouble to procure the best; he had one pouting cock which he valued at five pound, and a very choice collection of

men could not be made Pigeon Fanciers in five minutes ;” neither by placing Fancy Pigeons in a shew pen for them to make their observations upon, would have enabled them to have written upon the five properties ; but they may have “ exclaimed as many others at first sight—very pretty, very pretty indeed,” which reminds me of a gentleman, a good Fancier, who retired into the country, taking with him his best birds, but what disheartened him when he bred a good bird he had no one about him to shew it to, who knew how to appreciate its properties, and others who saw it said it is very pretty: he would rather have heard a fault found with one of the five properties by a good Fancier, than that anything but sweet music by persons who do not understand them, by saying very pretty, very pretty indeed.

The loss of a spirited Fancier like Ricuarp Arnerton, Esq., of Atherton Hall, Lancashire, who, as Mr. Moors observes, was a gentleman both of will and ability, besides being a very complete judge of a Pigeon, and would spare neither cost or trouble to procure the best, and had a very fine collection must have been severely felt by the Gentlemen of the Fancy of that day; and is equally as severely felt by the gentlemen of the Fancy of the present day, when they sustain the loss of a good Fancier. It is quite clear that in Mr. Moore’s day, as now, that not only the lower rank of life, but even persons of the greatest distinction and the first degrees of quality kept Pigeons ; I would here particularly guard you against having too | great a variety of Pigeons, otherwise you will know a little of all the species, but | nothing about one as it ought to be known. It is a grievous thing when we hear talk of a man being so clever at all things, yet nobody would employ him, simply because he is not sufficiently clever in one thing ; the fact is, he is Jack-of-all- trades and master of none. Now I sincerely hope you will not make such a Fancier as this; I have heard some of the best Carrier Fanciers, and some of the best Pouter Fanciers, when asked their opinion on the Tumbler, have stated that they did not know anything about the properties of the bird, not having studied them, owing to having given their whole attention to one species, cither the Carrier or Pouter’; nevertheless, I should be very sorry to give either of these Carrier or Pouter Fanciers (I have in my mind’s eye) the choice of going into my aviaries or lofts, to pick out what Tumblers they chose, although, comparatively ‘speaking, they did not know the Tumbler, as compared to the Carrier or Pouter. I am sorry whenever I hear of a Carrier or Pouter Fancier giving them up; they are most splendid birds, and well worthy the attention of good Fanciers. It is possible i there may be a few Fanciers that have a good general knowledge of Fancy Pigeons, if but there are many more who labour under a delusion by supposing they know, which they do not. “The five properties of the Tumbler, Carrier, and the Pouter,

. .

KV.

many other kinds. The same methods have been taken in most other countries as well as England, to gain this experimental knowledge, as in Holland, France, Spain, Germany, Turkey, Persia, and Morocco. In the three last of which places, the Monarchs themselves have officers, called keepers of the Pigeons. Having thus mentioned the King of Morocco, give me leave to entertain you with the following story out of the Sieur. Mouette in his travels through that kingdom.

7.—There was among the other captives in Morocco, one Bernard Bausset, a youth about twenty-five years of age, and one of the family of the Baussets, ancient consuls of Marseilles and born in the town of Aubaigne in Provence; he had the keeping of the King’s Pages’ Clothes and Arms, and of the Stores laid up at the first gate of the Seraglio; besides which, he taught two of the king’s children to speak Spanish. That prince having taken a liking to, and desiring to raise him

igher than the Christian religion would allow of ; he tried all possible means to oblige him to become a Mahometan, and perceiving he could not prevail by fair means, very often had recourse to severity and ill usage. Being one day highly provoked at his constancy, and laying hold of the pretence of two or three bits of straw he saw lying before him, and of Bausset’s neglecting to cause the way between the two gates of the sera

seraglio to be swept, he caused him to be stripped stark naked, and two blacks, with each of them a handful of leather straps to give

him above five hundred stripes; so that his body was all over as black as a shoe, In this condition, he sent him with two heavy chains to be cured in our prison, and several days after called for, and asked him, why he stayed in the Bitte, so they call the Slaves’ Prison, whilst his meal was stolen. It seems that day a sack had been taken out of one of the magazines that are near the gate of the Seraglio. Sir, said Bousset, I stayed there ever since you sent me, and durst not come away, without your orders. Hereupon the king struck at him with a spear, and hurt him under the right eye, and then ordered his guards to cast him into the Lion’s Walk: that walk is like ‘a court between four high walls, joining to the castle, and was parted from our Bitte or prison, by a wall, but three hands in thickness, which the lyons once undermined, and had like to have got in to us.

8.—The youth hearing that sentence pronounced, ran to the ladder that went up

to the place, intending to throw himself in, before any other came to do it, The ing dismounted from his horse, and went up after, bidding him change his religion, or he should be immediately devoured by the lions. Bausset resolutely answered, he was not at all concerned at it, since that was the way to make him happy ; for they could take but one life from him, which would end gloriously, and he had rather the lyons should devour his body, than that his soul should become a prey to devils. Hereupon the king drew near the edge of the wall, to cast him down headlong; but Bausset, who observed him narrowly, perceiving his design,

leaped himself amidst four lyons, of a monstrous size, who had not been fed in three days.

are So opposed to each other in the standard as laid down by the Gentlemen of the Fancy, that only bothers and confuses the young Fancier if he attempts too much at Once ; therefore, my advice to the young Fancier is, to make himself master of ne of the species of the Fancy first, and I have no doubt his observations and *ellections will teach him that he has his work to do, in giving his whole attention to one species, I have very little opinion of a person becoming A. 1. in the Fancy, WEN yes far too much-at once 3 therefore, I caution you not to attempt with different Sorts. But to return to Mr. Moorn’s amazement and astonishment, he might have saved all this, if he had drawn this inference—How very few was competent to write on the subject, it being the work of a Fancier,

XV.

§.—Those creatures beholding their prey, rose up, and roaring put themselves in a posture to fall on him, whilst he offered up his prayers to heaven. But they as if with-held by some secret Power, presently lay down again. Yet some of them soon after got up, and made towards him, and being near passed by, without touching him, among the rest, one that was most ravenous came up to him seven times, and passed by as often. Thus the captive, like another Daniel, praised God, amidst those fierce creatures, which had not the power to hurt him.

10.—The king, who withdrew as soon as he fell in, sent twice to see whether he was devonred, and in case he was not, to offer to take him out, if he would turn Mahometan ; but he returned them the same answer he had given to the king himself. We were all at our prayers to implore the divine assistance upon him, and having made some holes through the wall, that parted us from lyons to see, we encouraged him to be resolute and die, rather than renounce his religion, which he zealously promised us.

11.—In the mean while a Spanish woman captive went to petition the king for Bausset’s deliverance. She was called Mary of the Conception, born at St. Lucar de Barrameda in Andalusia; came to Mamora, to carry home her husband, who was banished, and they were both taken returning into Spain. Having abundance of wit, without the least immodesty, she had gained the king’s affections, who granted her whatsoever favour she asked either for Moors or Christians. She was called the common mother of all persons in distress, for she never thought much to sue for them. Her husband, whose name was John de Cormona, and she, had had the charge of the king’s Pigeons and fed the lyons. The king having a kindness for Bausset, was pleased she should intercede, and gave orders immediately to have him taken out. No sooner had he spoke the word, than all the pages ran, striving who should be foremost, and left the king alone, at the first entrance into the Seraglio, which so highly offended him, that he called them back, and laid eight of them on the floor, all bloody and wounded with his scimitar.

12.—However, when his wrath was appeased, the captive woman redoubled her entreaties so earnestly, that he could not refuse her, but ordered that she should go with her husband and one Prieur, a surgeon of Poitiers, to take Bausset from among the lions, which was accordingly done, when he had been there five hours; for he leaped in at four, and came out at nine. Some days after, the lyons shewed not the same respect to three Faquers or Doctors of the Law of Mahomet, who took upon them to reprove the king for his cruelty, and were therefore cast into the same place, and immediately torn in pieces by the lyons. This story was well attested, brought to Paris, and put into the hands of the reverend fathers the mercenarians of Paris, to satisfy such as may call the truth of itin question. How- ever, I had not made use of this story, only as it shews that even kings have been roud to confer the greatest favours upon those who were no more than the reer of their Pigeons. Thus we see how the knowledge of these birds has been propagated and encouraged in most parts of the World at a very great expense, while every observer had still this natural History to obtain in the same experimental and costly way, and was often grossly imposed upon by having a mixed strain put into his hands instead of the real species ; yet notwithstanding all this, and the ease wherewith it might have been accomplished, I find an almost profound silence among the Naturalists upon this head.

13.—I have, therefore, ventured first to launch forth into this new science, not being insensible that I shall leave much room for others to make great improve- ments, if any shall hereafter think it worth their while to follow that track which I have only pointed out to them; and I hope the learned world know how to make allowances for a first attempt in the advancement of any kind of knowledge. (13 *)

13.—To the young and inexperienced Fancier,—I am particularly desirous of calling your attention to Paragraph 13. ; it is nearly worth the whole of the

OTR ET

XVii. Paragraphs put together, until we come to the considerations of the properties of

the Pigeons as laid down by the standards, which we have to breed up to and Surpass if possible,

The late Mr. Jouy Moors here most distinctly states positively, without evasion \

or equivocation, that-he was the first to launch forth into this new science, and T am bound to believe him, having never seen an earlier Work on the subject ; at the tite Ta writing, 1852,.and Mr. Moorn’s Work was published in 1735, being 117 Years 260, the inference I therefore draw is, that it is true; it would be folly in a young Fancier to state it was not true, unless he was prepared to prove it by books of an earlier date, as old Fanciers would know that the young Fancier was not old enough to recollect it. It is my intention to reprint the whole of the late

t. Jony Moorn’s Work upon Pigeons word for word, and if any inaccuracies arise, it wil] be the fault of the Compositor, it not being my wish to alter a single letter, believing his Work to be the original upon Fancy Pigeons, and is the: Sreundwork from which all other Works on the subject have been taken, which» by -and by, I Shall endeavour to prove; had it not been the fact, Fanciers of that time would have contradicted ; Authors, Compilers, and Commentators, would ave handed it down to posterity ; and to prove my assertion, I would recommend “ies young Fancier to obtain as large a library as possible on the subject. I shall give you the late Mr. Joun Moorn’s Work, Columbarium: or the Pigeon House, Word for word, There will not be any occasion for you to strive to obtain a copy, and which if you did, I believe would be labour in vain.

I would recommend you to obtain a Treatise on Domestic Pigeons, inscribed to Joun Mayor, Esq., the Author concealing his name, printed for and sold by C. Barry, Ingram Court, Fenchurch Street ; sold likewise by P. Srevens. near Stationer’s Hall, Ludgate Street; A. Wesiey, Holborn; and J. Watters, Charing Cross, 1765 ; also a Worki-'The Complete Pigeon Fancier, by Danter Grrtin, Esq. printed for ALEXANDER Hoa, 16, Paternoster Row, London; also, a Treatise on the Almond Tumbler, Author not named, printed for ALEXANDER Hoag & Co, 16*Paternoster Row, London, 1802 and 1804 3 ‘also, the Naturalists Library, that part which relates to Pigeons; Ornithology, Vol. 5th, part 3rd, by Pripnux Joun Surpy, Esq, F.R.S, EFS »M.W.S., &. &. 5 W. H. Lizars, 8, St. James’s

Square, Edinburgh; S. HicuLey, 32, Fleet Street, London; and W. Curry, Jun., ~ and Co., Dublin, 1835; also, the Dovecote and the Aviary, by the ReverEenp S E. S. Drxon, M.A, 3 Joun Murray, Albemarle Street, London, 1851; also, _ Perur BoswELL, on Pigeons, sold by GuorcE RovuTLep¢s, 36, Soho Square, —

a. (Af f Zé a 2 f Pe wy A Ondon. v OBE, HAL her Rition ff nar®”¢ Sie wee a ee Ee

I cannot help thinking but that I am justified, and I think this the best place 0 call the attention of the Gentlemen of the Fancy to a very great error, that is printed in a clever little Book,—being a compilation on Bees, Pigeons, Rabbits, and Canary Birds, by Peter Boswext, Esq:,—Greenlaw, to be obtained of GzorcE Rovian, 36, Soho Square, London, 1846. The ‘error’? which I wish to call your attention to, is in page 42. of the Work, and runs thus :—The best authenticateg Treatise on Domesticated Pigeons, especially regarding the fancy Varieties, wag published by Barry, of Fenchurch Street, in 1765. That Treatise

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XViii.

has been succeeded by Moorn’s Columbarium, and some others, founded on their authority ; the very reverse is the fact of the case, Mr. Moorr’s Work “ preceded instead of succeeded,” exactly thirty years. Mr. Moorn’s Work was published in