33 MANAGEMENT. 



want of food as from cold ; for in such a case the old ones 

 will not continue sitting on them, but will leave them and 

 hang about waiting for their food. Young pigeons, from 

 their birth till seven days old, cannot long survive the 

 want of their parents' warm protection, even in the heat of 

 summer. 



Water. 



The water vessels should be refilled daily, even if they hold 

 more than a day's supply; for, if allowed to run dry, the 

 same bad results follow as from want of food. They should 

 be frequently cleaned out with boiling water, and such as 

 have only a hole in them should have some sharp sand 

 shaken up in them when being cleansed. If placed outside 

 the flight, and exposed to the rays of the summer sun, they 

 must either be protected from it by a box in very hot days, 

 or be frequently refilled with cold water ; for sun-heated water 

 is prejudicial both to the old and young birds. 



Bathing water may be allowed them twice a week, which is 

 about as often as they will care to use it. If supplied in the 

 loft, no vessel, however constructed, will prevent them dashing 

 it about on the floor; but some sawdust, thrown upon the 

 overflow, will absorb it in a few minutes, when it may be 

 swept up. If the bath be made with sides inclining in- 

 wards, much less water will be scattered about than when 

 they are upright or sloping outwards. 



Salt. 



Salt in some form is necessary for pigeons kept in confine- 

 ment, as has been known from the time of Aristotle. It is 

 required for keeping them in health, and for the successful 

 rearing of their young. The old writers give recipes for what 

 they termed the "salt-cat," which Moore refers to as so called, 

 he supposes, " from a certain fabulous oral Tradition of baking 

 a Cat in the Time of her Salaciousness with Cummin-Seed 



