E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Blue-pigeon Flyer.
A man who steals the lead off of a house or church. “Bluey” is slang for lead, so called from its colour. To “pigeon” is to gull, cheat, or fub. Hence, blue-pigeon, one who cheats another of his lead, or fubs his lead. “Flyer,” of course, is one who flies off with the stolen lead.
