Oskar Zovic / 25 Feb 2011 10:12

Hi Barney,
first time I found ash red (mealy) was in the birds brought to north
American continent in early seventies. Birds were of Carnew strain, that
Davies brothers flew. Actually Mr. Ferguson imported the birds to Minnesota
directly from one of Davies brother, might be wrong, but I believe the name
was Geoff ? However, ash red was also in the birds that were brought in from
Pete Bartholomew in 1974. It was two reds and two black mottles, One of
these birds NTU 4265/73 played the biggest role, while I was creating my own
family. Through the inbreeding, I found out he also carried dilute, so to
get Yellows, silvers and duns was no problem at all.
No Mr. Hunt wasn't born in England, but his parents were. Mother was from
London, and father was from Sheffield. The birds he flew were on the large
side, mostly prints and mottles, with an occasional dark grizzle or bronze,
and their flying style was roof scrappers, but their endurance was second to
none. As for the original strain ? He call them Pee Wee, Pass and Waterfall.
I heard a lot about Tom Dilks and his Hughes type birds, You see, for about
15 years or so I was subscribed to NTU news letter and the year book, and at
the time he was quite active, not sure what year it was, but if my memories
serves me right he did have the birds in the air more than twice the clock
around, they just wouldn't drop.
I believe Colin Bristow started flying almonds very good some 15-20 years
ago, but if we go way back in history, then we find out that almond was in
the breed at the very begging in mid 19 century.
Barney if there was a way, I would gladly gift you some of my birds, no
doubt they would give you a lot of pleasure watching them up in the sky.
All the best to you Barney, and all the good people in fraternity Oskar

Submitted by Oskar Zovic on 2/25/2011 10:51:12 AM