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Miss Rosie Aederson,



doves. A piece of cage fronting of wire, rather larger than the top

of the box forms the lid. It should be laid loosely, not fastened

on. What would be better still would be a wooden frame covered

tightly with strong string netting, as there would then be no fear

of the bird knocking its head if it jumped upwards. I think it is

better not to put sand on the cage floor, it might get into the

bird’s eyes if it fluttered, but have some pieces of newspaper

folded rather smaller than the bottom of the box, and slip a piece

under the perch (which being low helps to keep it down) every

morning. This should be done and fresh seed and water put

in before the bird is returned to the box after its eyes have

been bathed.


The lid of the box must be loose, not in any way fastened

down, as you want to get your arms under it when catching the

bird. In catching use both hands, and get the thumbs well over

the back keeping the wings down. You can manage to get the

bird out of the box quite well by raising the lid with your arms

when you have once caught the bird. It only needs a little

practice and I do it all myself every morning, fresh food, paper

and water, besides the actual work of bathing the eyes.


When you have caught the Dove hold it in your left hand

against your side, the thumb still over the shoulder, the first

finger across the breast, whilst the second finger acts as a perch

for the feet. The bird held in this way is quite comfortable, but

a safe prisoner and cannot get away. In bathing the eyes don’t

hurry—if the bird begins to jerk after a bit let it have a few

seconds’ rest to quiet down. When you have finished with your

free hand put in the food and fresh paper (of course removing

the old) and put back the lid on the top before you replace the

bird. You can now raise the lid with one finger and with both

hands carefully put the bird, its back towards you, on the perch,

when it will probably be quite quiet. You may think all these

little details unnecessary, but if you try to replace the patient

with one hand it will most likely struggle, and if you try to put

the bird in first and the box lid on afterwards the bird will pro¬

bably get away whilst you are doing it.


Sometimes, in spite of all your care, the Dove will rub a

shoulder raw if it tries to jerk about every time you catch it.



