Front:
Supplement to The Feathered Wor'd, May 15, 1908.
2.
The Feathered Horld
SHOW HOMER
Back:
Supplement to The Feathered World, May 15, 1908.
Aids to Amateurs, Pigeons-No. 6.
की
THE SHOW HOMER.
By A. J. SIMPSON.
This beautiful Pigeon, the result of careful selection and scientific
breeding, has now become one of our most popular show varieties, perfect
specimens realising considerable sums. Handsome in form, with a bold
and fearless expression and upright carriage, it is not surprising that this
bird is the choice of so many fanciers.
The points essential to represent a perfect exhibition specimen are :-
Compactly and proportionately built, short in feather, with neatly folded
tail, beak stout and set correctly, not to interfere with perfect curve of
profile, wattle white and smooth, with a dividing centre, eyes white, with
neat damson coloured cere, like a silk cord encircling the eye. The out-
line of the head should form an unbroken curve from tip of beak to back
of the skull, showing no indentation. A bird with a pinched appearance
behind the wattle, hollow top skull, or sharply finished at back of head, is
of no use as a show specimen. The space referred to behind the wattle
(known as the muzzle) should be as long and full as possible.
In addition to all these points of excellence, the bird should be of massive
build throughout, but here is the difficulty, as large birds have a tendency
to grow rough and coarse wattles and ceres, long broad tails, and long wing
feathers, usually lacking that beautiful quality and neat finish which are
absolutely necessary for a perfect specimen. On the other hand, diminutive
birds, even if possessing neatness and quality, stand very little chance
on the show bench against their longer competitors with same points.
Should the amateur be successful in breeding birds of quality and
massiveness combined, he may rest assured they will not long remain on
his hands, if he is disposed to sell, there being always ready purchasers,
and price being no deterrent for a perfect specimen of a show Homer.
USEFUL HELPS TO BREEDERS.
The Show Homer Pigeon : Its Management and Exhibition. By
Victor Woodfield, with plate of Club Ideal, and a chapter on
the Flying Homer by Thos. Walton. Post free, paper, Is. 8d. ;
cloth, 2s. 3d.
Coloured Plates. Ideal Show Homer and Mr. Christmas's Three
Show Homers. Plain Plates. The Club's Ideal and Mr. Simpson's
Ideal (1907). Each, post free, I}d.
Fellowes's
Practical Pigeon Management. Post free, cloth, 35.
Pigeons: Their Origin and Variation, their Breeding and
Management. Post free, paper, 25. 4d.; cloth, 35. 4d.
In case of difficulty, consult the query columns of The Feathered
World.
THE FEATHERED WORLD
9, Arundel Street,
CANARY AND CAGE-BIRD LIFE Strand, London.
These cards are also published as postcards, post free, i}d. each,
or 7d. per packet of six ; or, together with the books above, can
be ordered through any newsagent or from the above address.
