110 THE IMPORTANCE OF BIRD LIFE 



the consistency of its flesh, the bird cannot com- 

 mand a price sufficient to pay the cost of up- 

 bringing. One would think that it might in some 

 measure have taken the place of small game-birds 

 in the market, but this has not proved the case. 

 More pigeons were produced in the United States 

 in 1910, while game-birds were still being sold, 

 than in 1920. That toughness cannot be over- 

 come. 



The story of the squab, however, is entirely dif- 

 ferent. Its flesh is quite as tender and delicious 

 as any epicure could desire. Unfortunately the 

 rearing of squabs has drawbacks which preclude 

 them from ever becoming an important market 

 bird. On paper the raising of squabs is more lu- 

 crative than most businesses. One pair of birds 

 theoretically should produce from seven to ten 

 pairs of young per annum. The market price 

 varies from twenty-five cents for culls to at least 

 a dollar apiece for the best birds. 



Let us suppose that we ourselves are going into 

 the business. Instead of ten we shall figure upon 

 eight pairs of squabs a year to every pair of 

 breeders. They are to be sold at only seventy- 

 five cents a pair, making a gross return of six 

 dollars from our breeders. The average cost of 

 feed and loft care can be put at one dollar and a 

 half. The result is $4.50 net profit a year from one 

 pair of old birds! A thous-and pairs should net 

 the comfortable income of $4500 on paper. 



