3-012-004 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Prize pigeons at the show of the Philo-Peristeron Society, recently held in Freemasons' Hall, 1864. 'Pouters were exhibited by Mr. William Smith, of Halifax, several of which were remarkably good birds, but did not show themselves to advantage, owing, most likely, to the weariness of the birds from their long journey. The several pens of carriers, containing ten and twelve in each, pen, were the property of Messrs. Hayne, Carrel, Everett, Date, Square, and Chalker, and were wonderfully fine birds, some of them as near perfection as can be expected. The dragon pen contained, among others, the three Birmingham prize pens, a pair of Mr. Jones Percival receiving universal praise. The exhibitors of jacobins were Messrs. Harrison Weir, Wicking, and Esquilant. Mr. Harrison Weir, who is the president of the society, had the post of honour for his beautiful and attractive pen of white fantails...Mr. Wicking had also a fine pen of fantails, one of blue Brunswicks, one of magpies, one of swallows, and one of other varieties. The almond and short-faced tumblers were good, and were chiefly the properties of those excellent fanciers, Messrs. Lucy and Esquilant; there were also some well-bred baldheads and beards belonging to the latter gentleman'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.