24 



MY FOREIGN DOVES AND PIGEONS. 



two people to do this 



work, for besides one 



holding up the branch 



whilst the other wires, 



it is so much easier 



for tlie person 'not on 



the steps to judge of 



tlie effect from below, 



as to whether abranch 



is in a good position ; 



sometimes two or 



three places must 



be tried before the 



_ _ „ best is really settled 



PlUiMed Ground Dove. qj^ 



In addition to the branches, I have numerous 

 perches fixed in the aviary, by simply boring holes 

 in the woodwork and knocking the perches firmly 

 in with a hammer. Where the woodwork is not 

 deep enough for a hole, it is easy to screw a block 

 of wood on to the woodwork and make your hole 

 in the block. A very good perch is an unvarnished 

 broom handle (costing 2d.) cut up into three short 

 or two longer lengths, one end being slightly pared 

 where it is to be knocked into the wood, as a 

 perch with a slanting end drives "home" so much 

 better into the woodwork than if the hole and 

 perch were exactly the same size. These broom 

 handles seem just the right size for doves' feet — 

 except for the very tiny varieties, when a slight 

 bamboo stick might be used, but it would have the 

 drawback of being rather cold to the birds' feet. 



Ever}' dove has its own particular roosting-place, 

 and this must not be invaded by any other bird, 

 so when you get a fresh arrival be very careful not 

 to introduce it straight off to the others towards 

 evening. 



The best and wisest plan is really to keep the 

 newcomer in a cage for the night, with a few 

 drops of Syrup of Phosphate of Iron in its drink- 

 ing water, and then, next day, when it is 

 thoroughly rested, to turn it in with your other 

 birds, early in the day. You must keep a very 

 careful look out, going down to the aviary oftener 

 than usual, to see if 3'our birds are agreeing 

 together, for if there is going to be any fighting- 

 it will probably begin at once. If you find the 

 birds inclined to attack each other, take the new- 

 comer away. It is hopeless to try to make birds 

 agree when once the)' have decided to be enemies. 



Your "spring' cleaning" in the aviary and the 

 fixing of your branches should all be complete by 

 the beginning of March. Probably )'ou will . find 

 your birds — or some of them — will want to start 

 nesting in February, but such haste should be 

 severely discouraged. You will now have to decide 

 bow many birds you can place in each aviary, and 

 which birds will be friendly with others. Take 



this as one of your best mottoes : "Never over- 

 crowd." It is very tempting to do this; one keeps 

 thinking the aviary will hold "just one pair more," 

 and studying the different bird sale lists only makes 

 the temptation stronger. At one time I got the 

 bird-buying fever so badly that at last I had to 

 resolutely pass over ihe sale column for fear I 

 should succumb. All the same, if you are strong- 

 minded enough to be able to read and not to pur- 

 chase, by all means study the lists ever}' week — it 

 will teach you the value of birds, and how the 

 prices vary according to the seasons when certain 

 birds are shipped, and so you may judge when it 

 is the wisest and also the cheapest time to 

 purchase. 



Having told you something' of my doves' every- 

 day life, I will now tell you something about their 

 nesting. 



CHAPTER II. 

 NESTING. 



The aviculturalist who loves his (or her) birds 

 looks forward very much to the bright days of 

 spring and sunii"ner, when the winter is a thing 

 of the past and the nesting season has come. I 

 always feel, however badly my birds have done one 

 year, the next may be a better one, for should not 

 every year bring more experience, and experience 

 more chance of success? And so I start again 

 with renewed hope. 



It is important, first of all, that you start with 

 your aviary clean — the paint washed, the white- 

 wash renewed, if needed. You will have little 



Crested Dove. 



Pholo: Mr. H. Willfoid. 



chance to do this later on without disturbing the 

 birds, and your places should at any rate start 

 free from insects and dirt. So I would advise you 

 to clean down early, and after you have done this 



