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Fancy pigeons are domesticated varieties of the rock dove. They are bred by pigeon fanciers for various traits relating to size, shape, color, and behavior, who often exhibit their birds at pigeon shows, fairs and other livestock exhibits. There are about 800 pigeon breeds; considering all regional varieties all over the world there may be 1100 breeds. The European list of fancy pigeons alone names about 500 breeds.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.entente-ee.com/deutsch/sparten/tauben/Dateien/2012/ELRT%2011-06-2012.pdf )〕 No other domestic animal has branched out into such a variety of forms and colours. Charles Darwin is known to have crossbred fancy pigeons, particularly the Ice Pigeon, to study variation within species,〔(【引用サイトリンク】first=John )〕 this work coming three years before his groundbreaking publication, ''On the Origin of Species''. ==Pigeon showing== Pigeon fanciers from many different countries exhibit their birds at local, inter-state or national shows and compete against one another for prizes.〔 One typical country show in Australia in 2008 had hundreds of pigeons on display and prizes for the winners. In England, the Philoperisteron Society conducted annual shows in the mid 1800s. There were also a London Columbarian Society. The extensive variations in the breeds attracted the attention of Charles Darwin and played a major role in developing ideas on evolution.〔http://darwinspigeons.com〕〔Secord, James A. (1981) Nature's Fancy: Charles Darwin and the Breeding of Pigeons Isis 72(262):162-186.〕 Some fanciers organize exhibitions exclusively for pigeons; one held in Blackpool run by the Royal Pigeon Racing Association is annually attended by about 25,000 people and generates around £80,000 profit, which is donated to charity. The largest pigeon show is held in Nuremberg: the German National Pigeon Show, which had over 33,500 pigeons at the 2006 show.〔.〕 In the United States, there are hundreds of local, state and national pigeon clubs that sponsor shows. The largest shows are the National Young Bird Show, held in Louisville, Kentucky in October, and the National Pigeon Association's Grand National, held in a different city each year and usually in January. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Fancy pigeon」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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