PIGEONS AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



I always tack on the side near the cup, a card with the re- 

 quest in plain letters, " PLEASE WATER HERE. " 



In the bottom of the box, put clean sawdust. It is useless 

 to put a feed box inside, for the birds are prone to climb up 

 on it and soil the contents. Again ; pigeons do not eat much 

 on a trip of this kind, and a handful of feed in one corner is 

 plenty. 



For a short trip, say of twenty-four hours, I never put in 

 water at all. A bird can easily go so long as that except in 

 very hot weather, and never feel it, and this does away with 

 any danger of soiling. 



Pigeons do very little fighting while on a railroad trip. The 

 noise and bustle and the constant shaking keeps each one 

 busy with its own troubles. When possible, always send a 

 postal card a day ahead, stating on what train you will ship. 

 Also notify the purchaser to give the birds a bath as soon as 

 possible, for a bath after a trip is as much of a luxury, as it 

 is to one of us. 



Always mark the number of birds in the box plainly on the 

 outside. This saves tilting up and peering into the box at 

 the express office. 



Write the directions plainly, and also your own address. 

 There is then no chance for mistakes and everybody who sees 

 the birds in transit, will know who they are from. 



