31 



THE METHOD OF MATCHING OR PAIRING YOUR 



PIGEONS. 



31. — Your loft being thus finished and equipped, my next instructions 

 shall be, how to match or pair your pigeons together ; and here we must 

 observe, that though they are very constant when mated to each other, 

 seldom or never suing a divorce, except when either of them grow sick or 

 very old, yet it is sometimes very difficult to make them couple to your 

 liking. 



32. — The best way therefore to effect what you desire on this head, is 

 to erect two coops, usually called by the Fanciers matching places, close 

 together, let the partition between be made of lath, that they may see 

 each other, and you may easily contrive it so that they may both eat and 

 drink out of the same vessels; feed them often with hemp-seed, which 

 will make them salacious, and when you observe the hen to sweep her tail 

 and shew to tlie cock, as he plays in the other pen, you may then put her 

 in to him, and they will soon be matched. 



33. — But if for want of this convenience, you are obliged at first to put 

 them both into one coop, always put the cock in first, fur three or four 

 days or a week, and let him get master of the place, especially if the hen 

 be a virago, or else they will fight so much as perhaps may settle in them 

 an absolute aversion for ever after ; but if the cock be first master of the 

 house he will beat the hen, if obstinate, into compliance. 



nests ; others do not, but put sawdust in their nest-pans. Care should be taken to place 

 the nest so as the young cannot fall out, or they will be liable to be pecked and even 

 killed by the other Pigeons, whose domains they may unfortunately get into, as each 

 pair takes possession of a certain part, and drives all others from it. The two nests for 

 one pair should be so situated that the young may not run into and disturb the old 

 ones when again sitting. 



(Brent.) — It is also necessary in all lofts to have a few matching pens, where any 

 Pigeons can be confined for pairing, or any other purpose. 



(Brent.) — The fitting up of a large Pigeon-house or aviary for fancy sorts will depend 

 much on the taste or inclination of the owner, but attention to the arrangement of the 

 nests may be found useful. Shelves about nine inches wide should be erected eighteen 

 inches apart, and divided by upright partitions at three feet distances ; a nine-inch- 

 wide board or slab should be placed up in front at each end of each partition, so as to 

 form two secluded retreats for the nests ; the nest-pans if used can be placed in these 

 recesses, and a brick or ledge put across to keep them steady ; in the middle of each 

 division should be a partition about five or sis inches high, which will prevent the 

 young in one nest running into and disturbing the old birds when sitting again — this 

 partition will also form a roosting place for the old birds ; the shelves may be made of 

 well planed boards, but thin slate slabs would be found better, not being so apt to har- 

 bour vermin. 



(Brent.) — When fresh Pigeons are introduced into the Pigeon-house they should not 

 be let out till they have fixed upon and taken possession of a nest- place, to facilitate 

 which a framework of laths is useful to hang in front of the shelves, and so confine them 

 to the nests it is desirable for them to take for a few days ; but they should also be 

 allowed to go into the trap a few times before they have full liberty, that they may 

 learn the way in and out of their habitation. Attention to these hints may save much 

 trouble and many losses. Beware of cats. 



31 to 36.-.See J, M. Eatok's Almond Tumbler, paragraphs 428 to 438. 



