Englischer Elstertümmler - Pie Anglais - English Magpie





Thewas originally part of the Tumbler breeds although today in the U.K. it is purely kept as an exhibition breed. In Darwin times the breed was very much smaller and his red specimen at Tring Natural History Museum bears this out. This bird is mentioned on a list of breeds on one of two narrow strips of paper exhibited at Down House Museum. H H Shrives in the 1960's mentions in an article in "Pigeons & Pigeon World " that thecame from Germany and was called by them theand during the 1880's Frank Warner (later Sir Frank) conceived the idea that this breed should be more stylish. He then bredby selection within the breed. Other fanciers tried outcrosses including Scandaroons.Exhibition Homers and Carriers but none of these were successful. In 1908 Bracey & Cooke introduced the Bagdais as an ourtcross and in 1910 producedfrom this cross. The UK club was formed in 1885 and the first standard was drawn up two years earlier in 1883.The breed is still to be found in its original form in Eastern Europe.