298 Farm Poultry 



three years of age. The peacock is disliked by some 

 on account of his loud, screeching voice, which he is 

 inclined to use freely. 



PIGEONS 



While pigeons are not usually mentioned among 

 the various kinds of profitable farm stock, yet 

 the possibilities of profitable returns are so great 

 that a somewhat full discussion of pigeon-rearing 

 is warranted. However, only a short discussion 

 will be devoted to the business as yielding money 

 returns on the investment. To lovers of animal 

 life, pigeon-rearing offers a most fascinating field, 

 particularly to the boys and girls who delight in 

 caring for stock that they may call their own. Many 

 a farm boy has become interested in animal life 

 and has learned many things which have been of 

 great use to him in after years, that he acquired by 

 caring for and studying the needs of pets which had 

 been given wholly to his charge. Farm boys become 

 dissatisfied with the farm and decide to leave it 

 chiefly for two reasons because they are not inter- 

 ested in farm life and work, and because they have 

 not been taught how to make quick returns and good 

 profits for the money invested. The rearing of pigeons 

 will often afford satisfactory first lessons and may 

 reveal possibilities that will be sufficiently enticing 

 when considered from a standpoint of income alone. 



