35 MANAGEMENT. 



successful treatment of their complaints. The avidity with 

 which they devour salt, when they get a supply after a long 

 want of it, shows it to be very necessary ; but, in such a 

 case, both the old and young suffer from an overdose, as I 

 have proved. I have noticed, when it was given in the form 

 of rock salt, and when the lump had disappeared by melting, 

 and by the birds eating it, that they greedily ate of the 

 salt earth where it had lain till they made quite a depression 

 in the ground. 



As pigeons in confinement require lime, not only for the 

 formation of the shells of their eggs, but for medicinal 

 purposes, it is best to supply this in conjunction with salt 

 and small gravel, the latter aiding in the digestion of 

 their food. Let the fancier, then, proceed as follows in 

 making up a mixture which will supply, along with sound 

 grain, all his birds require for keeping them in as good 

 health and condition as is possible, either in confi.nement or 

 at liberty. Let him, when opportunity offers, procure and 

 preserve in a box or barrel a supply of old lime from some 

 building in course of demolition. Such rubbish is generally com- 

 posed of one part of lime to about three or four of sand. Take 

 of this lime rubbish, two parts; of small, gritty, pebbly sand, 

 one part ; of friable loam, of a clayey kind for choice, one 

 part : beat all down, so that it will pass through a ^in. 

 riddle, and mix well together. Then add coarse kitchen salt, 

 to the extent of one-eighth part of the whole, and put the 

 mixture in boxes, and, as Old Moore would have said, " You'll 

 find your account in it." As the pigeons consume this, which 

 they will do quickly, for every bird will visit the box daily, 

 replenish the store all the year round. Fig. 10 represents a 

 box, or hopper, suitable for holding the salt earth or gravel. 



Pairing. 



Supposing the pigeon fancier to have his loft and its 

 arrangements completed, and to have selected his stock of 



E 2 



