FOR IDENTIFICATION 



215 



different-colored bands for each year, samples of which 

 are shown in Fig. 7, or by stamping the year on the band, 



as shown in Fig. 8. The colored bands are usually more 

 easily distinguished at a little distance than those 

 stamped with figures. Other shank bands, in addition to 

 indicating . the year in which the breeders were first 

 mated, have a numeral or some other mark that indicates 



FIG. 8 



the ancestors of the birds. Such bands, however, are 

 used principally in the breeding of exhibition pigeons, 

 the system being too complicated for the producer of 

 commercial squabs. 



In marking breeding pigeons, it is customary to place 

 the band on the right shank of male birds and on the 

 left shank of female 

 birds. Squabs that are 

 to be kept for breeders 

 should have a band 

 placed on them as soon 

 as they are ready to 

 leave the nest. At this 



time it is impossible to p. o 



determine the sex, but 



the band can be placed on either shank to preserve the 

 identity of the squabs, and can be shifted, if necessary, 



