FEEDS AND FEEDING 89 



Hemp 



Hemp seed is very fattening and stimulating, and should not 

 be used separately. The best variety is the Russian Hemp. 

 Birds are very fond of it, but should not be fed too much of it. 

 It is excellent during the molting season. 



Sunflower Seed 



This also should be used the same as hemp; it is even richer 

 in protein than hemp. A small amount goes a great ways. 

 Birds do not like it as readily as they do hemp. It is excellent 

 during the molt and gives a good lustre to the feathers, and is 

 an aid in shedding the old ones. 



Millet 



Millet is used as a stimulant as birds breed better when a 

 small amount is used with other food. There are a great many 

 varieties.' It is used very extensively as human food in Japan, 

 India and China. It is grown all over the United States, the 

 most of it in states west of the Mississippi. It is sown broadcast. 



Golden Wonder Millet (teniied by some, German Millet), is 

 the variety used mostly in squab production, but all varieties 

 are used. 



Rape 



Rape seed is a very small round brown seed, somewhat the 

 size of millet. Pigeons are very fond of it. It is used as a dainty. 



Lentils and Vetches 



Lentils and Vetches are somewhat similar, and grow like peas. 

 The former is mostly used in soups for flavoring. The pods 

 only contain two flat round seeds. The lentils are mostly im- 

 ported, but some are grown in Arizona and Mexico. They are 

 steep in price and are only used as dainties for squab raising. 

 We seldom use any. 



FEEDING BREAD TO PIGEONS 



There is little or no advantage to be gained by feeding bread 

 to pigeons except from a standpoint of economy. 

 Most bakeries, especially the large ones, have stale or unsold 



