The National tribune., 1899-07-13

seed should always be kept on hand 70,
sick or debilitated birds, and once a month
| give feed Of hemp seed to all. Pigeons
are very fond of this seed, but II is too heat
ing and stimulating for a general food
Good, sound hulled oats also makes good
food for change, and dried stale bread
crushed fine, mixed with bran and a very
little salt and moistened makes an econom-
ical food and one that is greatly relished.
No green food is necessary at any time,
although lettuce is sometimes given
nothing else, however.
In feeding birds much food Is frequently
wasted by giving more at one time than the
birds will clean up. Birds feeding their
young should be fed twice each day; the
first time as soon after daylight as possible,
the second time about three o'clock in the
afternoon, in the Winter. and four in the
Summer, thus giving the old birds time to
fill the crops of their young before dark.
Only as much feed should be given each
time as the birds will clean up. This
amount can be readily ascertained by
measuring the amount in a bucket for a
few times. II at the next feeding there
still remains some of the preceding feeding,
reduce the amount until just what is nicely
cleaned up is used.
Of course, the same number Of birds will
eat considerably more at one time of the
month than another, depending on the
number of squads they are feeding But
by close attention the feeder can calculate
about what will be consumed. If much
food is left when birds have been feeding
as a general thing literally, you may have
suspicion that all is not right, and instead
OF turning fresh food in with that which is
left, remove it altogether, sift it and exam
inc it, and watch the results of the food
supplied in its place; if that is again refused
you may know there is something that has
made 1t diStasteful, and other food should
be substituted. For this reason it is not
always safe to buy too large quantity
OF grain at once, until it is found to be salts
factory to your birds.
SUPPLY OF GRAVEL.
In addition to the feed-boxes, provide
some low boxes, as shown in Fig. 8, in
which TO keep a supply Of grit or gravel,
also ground oyster shells. AT the present
time there are various kinds of prepared
grit offered for sale, but if convenient to
shore Of ocean, lake or pond you can with
sieve and little labor get all the grit
you need. A box OF broken bone and
broken charcoal, while not necessity, will
be found to be acceptable to the birds. Old
lime mortar. such as comes from stone or
brick walls, will be found to be often visited.
Pigeons have such liking for this that
they will, if confined in a brick building,
peck it ont from between the bricks. When
put in a box it needs 10 be broken into small
pieces.
VA EN- Ioft DitlN hlNb AND BA1hlNG.
Pigeons should have at all times an
abundance OF fresh, clean water, both for
bathing and drinking purposes. If it can
be supplied from source that will furnish
constantly a running supply, so much the
better, as nothing has tendency to create
disease like impure water, and water kept
in open vessels is sure to be fouled after
standing few hours. Water even in
closed vessels becomes impure if it stands
over "a hours. Consequently the water
supply needs very careful attention. If
running water can be supplied, it can be
conducted through the breeding rooms in
a long, narrow trough, say, six inches wide
and three inches deep, so arranged at the
waste end as not to clog and overflow; or it
feet by four feet, from four to five inches
deep. In such tank the pigeons can also
bathe at will, and the constant flow of water
keeps the tank free from impurities, with
the assistance of daily cleansing. But
if no facilities for running water exist,
then recourse must be had to fountains,
OF which there are many patterns. These
are better than open tubs, because the
water can be kept cooler and purer than in
open vessels, and by having a number
placed at different points about the loft
accommodations can be had for all. Those
who have had experience with open tubs
know how common it is for pigeons, especi-
ally in Summer time, tocrowd into a freshly
filled tub and take n bath. The impurities
remain until the tub is emptied and scrubbed
out, and for birds to be obliged to drink
such water is certainly not conducive to
health. If an open pan is used to supply
water for drinking purposes, wire frame
like that shown in Fig. should be made
around it to keep the birds from getting
into and fouling the water.
A bath two or three times a week is a
necessity for perfect health, as this is the
only way pigeons have of ridding them