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FANCIERS' JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 



LOFT FOR PIGEONS. 



Mr. Editor. 



R. J. H. wishes to know how many pigeons may he suc- 

 cessfully kept in a loft 10 x 14, &c. Merely to keep pigeons 

 requires but a small space, and he can keep twenty pairs, of 

 different varieties, in such a place. But to satisfactorily 

 breed the birds, and to enjoy their companionship, I think 

 six pairs of one, or at most two varieties, will give him the 

 greatest pleasure. Six pairs of old, properly attended to, 

 will produce him about eighteen pairs of young during the 

 breeding season, which, added to the first stock, will crowd 

 his loft. Of course he will become attached to some of the 

 young, and will undoubtedly have more on hand for the 

 next (second) season than he will be able to attend to in that 

 sized loft. 



He had better confine himself to one variety. As men 

 become experienced in the fancy, they naturally reduce 

 their stock to nothing but fine birds, of few varieties. It is 

 a sure sign of a good fancier to see that he has but few 

 kinds, and fine birds of those kinds. 



Nearly all the fancy birds bear confinement well ; in fact, 

 they have been bred so long in confinement that it has 

 become their normal state. They are cage birds ; but the 

 loft must determine the size of the birds. It would be an 

 unsatisfactory place for pouters or carriers, hut will do well 

 for the toys or small birds, such as turhits, owls, tumblers 

 (not flying), &c. 



White owls, I suspect, will be the most gratifying variety 

 for him to handle. Let him study the points for which he 

 has to breed, and produce first-class show birds by the third 

 season, and he will have won his spurs. Advising him to 

 stick to one kind, to buy the best birds of that kind to 

 begin with (no matter what they cost), to keep his loft 

 clean and the number of birds few, I predict and wish him 

 the success and gratification he will obtain. W. P. M. 



(For Fanciers' Journal.) 



THE MOCKING-BIRD. 



Of all the woodland minstrels none can successfully com- 

 pare with the mocking-bird. Its harmonious and varied 

 song rings sweetly in budding spring, in the groves of mid- 

 summer, and in the tinted bowers of autumn. 



When the saddened heart is heavily pressed by the hand 

 of affliction, or weighed down by the cares of life, then turn 

 to the haunts of the mocking-bird, and listen to its thrilling 

 music, its rich and melodious notes, calling from distant hills 

 and adjacent tree-tops the various feathered tribes, selecting 

 the choicest notes from this medley choir, imitating so com- 

 pletely the wild song of the thrush, the warbling nightingale, 

 the crowing cock, the cackling hen, that they listen in silence, 

 spell-hound at his masterly triumphs. Then he perches him- 

 self within a few feet of the planter's mansion, and there peals 

 abroad delicious sound to delight and charm the ear with 

 its fitful hymn. Oftimes it is heard to chant with sweet- 

 ness in the drowsy watches of the night, when all nature is 

 hushed, and through the crisp air its hollow dirge meets the 

 ear in rapturous sounds as he lifts his anthem seemingly to 

 no one except Him who ruleth on high. 



This bird, unlike most others, courts civilization, often 

 building within a few feet of the homestead, oftimes select- 

 ing a solitary holly, cedar, or thorn bush ; many times a 

 pear, quince, or apple tree. Their nest is usually placed 

 from five to eight feet from the ground. No great care is 

 exercised in secluding the nest from view, nor to place it be- 



yond the reach of man. Its construction is neat and simple ; 

 the bottom layer consists of small dry sticks and twigs, upon 

 which is placed fine hay, weeds, wood, or hair, and over this 

 is interwoven, in compact form, fibrous roots of plants or 

 moss. 



In this nest she deposits from four to five eggs, deep-blue 

 in color, dotted here and there with numerous blotches of 

 brown. The period of incubation numbers fourteen da}'s, 

 which is accomplished solely by the hen, who usually rears 

 two broods during the season. 



When hatching, the mocking-bird displays great courage 

 in defending its young against the attack of enemies, and 

 evinces great love for its offspring ; yet, should the nest be 

 disturbed by man, they have been known to forsake their 

 young, and leave them to perish. The black-snake is their 

 inveterate enemy, and against this intruder they usually 

 prove victorious in the contest, exhibiting great spirit and 

 parental affection. 



This bird is peculiar to the American continent. Its geo- 

 graphical range extends from Connecticut to Brazil. It 

 luxuriates in the genial clime of the Southern States, and 

 is abundantly found south of the Potomac, while but few 

 extend their pilgrimage as far north as New York, though 

 they have been known to breed in this latitude. 



They prefer the warm region bordering the Atlantic and 

 Gulf of Mexico, being more numerous here than west of the 

 Alleghanies. 



The mocking-bird is omniverous, feeding on berries, in- 

 sects, and fruit. If desired for cage purposes, their young 

 should be taken at an early age, as they are then reared 

 easily; but if left until nearly fledged, and ready to leave 

 the nest, they frequently sullenly submit to starvation. 



Like all soft-billed birds they thrive on mashed Irish 

 potatoes, mixed with one-third its bulk of hard-boiled egg. 

 Occasionally insects, or a little lean beef, should be given 

 them, with a limited supply of fruit. 



The young birds, when taken from the nest, should be fed 

 very often, and not much at a time, to keep them growing 

 thriftly. Fresh water should be abundantly supplied for 

 drinking and bathing purposes, also gravel to aid digestion. 



The great consideration in rearing them successfully is reg- 

 ularity in feeding, and cleanliness. They should be fed 

 by hand long after they are able to eat without assistance ; 

 it renders them more gentle and confiding, and keeps them 

 strong. 



The writer well recollects a favorite bird, reared by hand, 

 who used to range at will in the room with doors open, 

 but when hungrj' would approach, with its intelligent eye 

 glistening, and with mandible widely extended, to grasp a 

 dainty bit from his master's hand. It would also fly for pro- 

 tection when disturbed by household pets, and warn him by 

 its peculiar note of distress and alarm. One frosty morning 

 Harry was discovered under his perch cold and almost life- 

 less, hut quickly, and with affectionate hands, he was wrapped 

 in warmed bats of cotton, and placed before the fire, and fed 

 with stimulating bits of bread soaked in milk and black 

 pepper, when he revived, and gladdened our hearts with his 

 presence and cheerful and winning ways. Although at fhis 

 season of the year the voice of the mocking-bird was seldom 

 heard, Harry, after fully recovering from his chill, made 

 us thrice happy by his melodious notes. An opportunity 

 offered to send him as a present to a Northern friend. Upon 

 his arrival he seemed quite at home, and was allowed the 

 same freedom as at his Southern home. He roamed at will 



