194 Practical Bird-Keeping. — III. Pigeons and Doves.


lug to this end. I know of only one firm that supplies the nut

in this form (and also a “soft food,” price Sd. per lb., that I shall

mention later on), namely, Messrs. Armitage, Seed Merchants,

Castle Gate, Nottingham, and the price is about 4/- per stone,

the size of the piece of nut can be regulated as desired.


Doves are also fond of ground sweet biscuit, this I cut up

myself in a Spratt’s cutter, but I look on the biscuit more as a

luxury than a necessity ; still a change and variation of diet is

good for all birds, and helps to keep them happy and healthy.


Some doves are fond of fruit as well as seed. My Black-

bearded Doves like red currants, the Bronzewings wineberries

(not quite ripe), the Bleeding Hearts grape stones, and I have

already told you how the Red Mountain Dove liked cut up

grapes and tomato.


I also find that “soft food” is much appreciated by some

birds. My Bleeding Hearts, for instance, have it daily, and it

keeps them in perfect condition. I have no doubt many of the

others would enjoy it too, but to give it to all my doves regularly

would mean a large addition to the cost of my food bill. I have

used this particular “ soft food” for years, it is mixed with an

equal quantity of dry ground biscuit and moistened ; the birds

all seem to do well on it (if given in addition to the seed diet)

including my cock Barraband Parrakeet and many other birds

besides the doves. Of course, the very tiny doves must have

smail seeds given besides those larger seeds already mentioned.


Another thing to remember is to have a good supply of

ground egg-shell, the shells being well dried over the kitchen

range before they are crushed. Especially put plenty of grit

on the floor during the nesting season, and you should have

no soft-shelled eggs.


When nesting, give the old birds plenty of food, especially

of any seed they seem to like. Remember they have not only to

feed their young ones from the crop, but to keep up their own

strength under the strain of nesting. A young bird well fed

will stay contentedly in the nest, and between eating and sleeping

should grow well ; but if not sufficiently nourished it will be

restless and probably wriggle out of the nest in its helpless

efforts to satisfy its needs.



