64 THE PRACTICAL PIGEON KEEPER. 



is apt to catch and ruffle the plumage, as well as giving too 

 much draught in bad weather. Fantail cells should be "shaped" 

 very carefully ; and even then it is almost impossible to get 

 this variety to a show without some damage to the tails. 



A basket should never be lined at the top or bottom only 

 at the sides, to keep off wind. For the bottom, we infinitely 

 prefer tan to anything else : it is clean, very conducive to health, 

 a natural antiseptic, and keeps the birds in good condition. 

 Where they can be got easily, hops are also good for the same 

 reasons. Next we prefer cut straw ; long straw makes pigeons 

 dirty on a long journey. 



White pigeons sometimes require to be washed. In that 

 case use soft water at 90, with good curd soap, and a very little 

 blue just a shade. Use the soap freely, and wash well ; after 

 that, the great secret is to wash every particle of soap completely 

 out, and to dry ~by hand. That is, hold the bird, turning it 

 about, a moderate distance from the fire till it is nearly or quite 

 dry. Light Silvers often look dirty, but cannot be washed so 

 well, the process taking off the peculiar powder called " bloom," 

 of which pigeons have so much, and thereby spoiling the effect 

 completely. 



On the other hand, the removal of that same bloom will 

 considerably improve a poor bluish-black. Faulty colours are 

 oiled by some people, but such tricks are so evident as to be 

 more disgusting than anything else. The best that can be done 

 for any faulty -coloured bird capable of being improved by more 

 richness is done as follows, which is not considered unfair. 

 Work the palms of the hands violently together (or adopt any 

 other mode of exercise) till they perspire pretty freely : then 

 take your bird and stroke it persistently with the moist hand. 

 In this way the bloom is removed, and an imperceptible " polish" 

 given, which in some cases is very remarkable for such simple 

 means. A judge who gives a prize to an " oiled bird " never 

 ought to be asked to judge again. Perhaps some little exception 



