Books on pigeons are legend, and the flying tumbler alone having a large literature, but too often varying in character which is mostly due to the  tumbler lover's sentimental gush. I have constantly found, particularly in the pages of our periodicals, that information of the least of value has been pushed upon the fancy with such force that is has almost completely obliterated that information which could have served a more useful purpose. Consequently, there exists for a few, no one seems to clearly understand what constitutes a high class flying tumbler and roller, neither do they understand how to breed them.      It is opportune to state that it requires a lot of skill and understanding to produce and maintain a high class stud of pigeons. It is to this end I offer these pages which, although not entirely complete, I hope will benefit those who read them. The illustrations are of ideal Birmingham Rollers and fully represent all the good birds I have seen during my associations with the many fanciers who originated and bred them. They are all of my own strain and with a few exceptions were bred by myself. I am grateful to those fanciers who allowed me to add their birds to my list of illustrations.
- William H. Pensom   Los Angeles, California   November 7, 1958