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From a Photograph by C. Reid, Wishaw, N.B. 
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A FLIGHT OF PIGEONS 
THE CARE OF DOMESTICATED ANIMALS. 
By W. M. 
WE are just entermg upon the season of 
great exhibitions, and pigeon 
fanciers all over the country 
are calculating their prospects 
of success In winning cups and medals at 
the important shows. The most important 
pigeon shows of the year are the Dairy 
Show in October, the Crystal Palace Show 
in November, the Pigeon Club Show 
(generally held at the Alexandra Palace a 
little later), and the Liverpool Show in 
January. A great deal of care has to be 
expended on the preparation of the exhibits 
at these shows, for so keen is the competition 
in many classes that the final decision of 
the judge, when two birds are equal in other 
points, will naturally be influenced in favour 
of the one which is shown in the best 
condition. A few suggestions may be useful 
The 
Pigeonry. 
FREEMAN. 
in regard to exhibiting pigeons. First of 
all it is a mistake to send a bird to a show 
unless it has been properly trained for the 
show pen. Some weeks before the date of 
the show, the fancier should obtain some 
collapsible show pens, which can be bought 
for a few shillings, and accustom his birds 
to being in these pens, and to submit to be 
poked about with a “judging stick”; other- 
wise, when they arrive at a show and the 
judge goes to look at them and wants them 
to display their points, they will flutter about 
and spoil their own chances. Again, it is 
very important that a bird should be well 
fed the last thing before it starts on its 
railway journey. Often birds have to travel 
all day, arriving at the exhibition hall late 
at night, and it may be nearly the middle 
of the next day before they are taken 
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