PIGEON FANCYING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4409, 3 May 1893, Page 2

PIGEON FANCYING.

Mr Burton Boys' Lofts, A representative of this journal recently paid „ visit to the pigeon lolts of Mr Burton Hoys, of Masterton, whose reputation as a fancier haa reached far and wide, and whoso wonderfully complete loftg have beeh pronounced by Mr Arthur Smith, of Christchurch, the "premier fancier of this colony" to be the best in New Zealand. Mr Boys has justly earned the reputation, for lie hue wared neither money r.or everything fitted up in t'.e beat possible style, and to breed on,y birds which would do credit to the beat lofts in any country. A more entLu- , siastio fancier certainly could not be found anywhere, and the kindly reception eocoided and the willingness with which all possible information regarding bis birds is given by Mr Boys, would quite stir up oven tho most uninterested. Pigeon fancying has become more popular of late years and there is little fear of it dying out. In fact good birds are more valuable than ever, and the better specMpna are fetching astonishing pricqK4s having beon given in several in London lately, and even « much as £IOO has been paid for a single bird.

But we must make our way to the garden where the lofts arc situated in a sheltered position' some distance from the house., -'Entering the lower portion of the building which is set ' aprl for drafting, we find it is fitted with thirty-six compartment.-", all nicely finished and perfectly fitted. Piled up are wicker hampers and wooden transport boxes, of the latest designs, some of them fitted for travelling long dis ancei with perfect comfo't to the birds, and made so they may be liberated without any bo tdl ig. After a look round we ascend a short ladder ani. p»tsing» v j th.ough a trap door, rcjclitkbeauti- V fuuy constructed loft 35 x 15, ton feet high in the centre, nndso coDStruoted with numerous sliding doors, worked with such facility that it wn be divided into seven distinct lof't, Bins are arranged there for the different kiuds of food, and we might say that this is a veiy important liem with Mr Boys. A close . wiro netting is stretched across tho loft, and each bird has its own perch, which prevents any quai telling amongst the inmates, The outer loft • or 11 box" is approached by another ladder, sliding doors are thrown back, and two movable peats put in position When the birds are liberated two persons can sit down and watob their nianteuvres. Regularly every night and morning the birds are flown for exei cisej and their owner has buc< ceeded in training them to such a high pitch that he can do almost anything with them. Fanciers from other parts of tho Colony have made special visits to Masterton to iieo Mr Boys lofts and birds, and all have been as-, tonisbed and delighted at the wonderful way in which the birds have been truined, and at the perfect loft arrangements.

Fach pair have a nest to themselves Boamnged that any or all may be shut up or libeiated as de'red, and as there are over one hundred and thirty birds—everyone of them in tho pink of condition, and nails—some idea of theVflßp.?.! may be gathered, As to themselves they are a BplrnAia-iJl','" bred from the well-known strains of Messrs McQuarrie, Captain Mathers, and Mr Arthur Smith, all of Christchui oh, Several are imported from England (Page's strain), The Homers are John Day and Vauxhall birds, and many of them are prizetakers in Welling; m, Ciiristchurch, Nekon and Sydney. The varieties consist of blue, chequer, and white dragons; working Homeis and short faced Antwerpsj selt-colorrd Tumblers, and mottled, blue, black, and red beards; also black and blue Baldheads, Tho birds obtain egress through a wiro cage 01 area, tbe door of which can be raised or shut with the slightest pressure, Outside a large boardrd platform has been built with rails right and left for the pigeons to a ,; ght on. On eaoh side of the " box" ate two feeding trays e;ch 12x3 feet, on one of which is placed a large enamelled bath, Altogether the loftß are the most complete we have ever seen, and do crdit to the energy and attention of their owner, who having thoroughly studied this subject for many years li ,T i ariivod at the conclusion that to keep, healthy pigeons of room, thorough Cffifflftpes and the best of food is absolutely essential. In reply to a question Mr Boys saidhewps pleased tj remark that the "fancy "was still spreading and that Mecsij Rogen and Hack* worth of Wellington had lately imported several stad pigeons f;om England, In conclusion wo have to tliank Mr Boye for bis courtesy, and to remark that ho seems to take a thorough delight in showing his pets, and anyono wishing to Bpend a really pleasant and instructive hour, ebould make this gentleman's acquaintance and obtain permission to viuit his lofts, for in the limited spaoe at our disposal it would be impossible to give a detailed account of them,

It should be stated that the whole of the carpentering work has been carried out by Mr 0. E. Danioll under instruction- from Mr Boys, and has givoa every satisfaction,