170 



fastened him in the pen that did not belong to him for two or three days; I have c\ired 

 most. I had one cock that forgot about the bitter aloes in a week. I thought I was at 

 last beat by a pigeon, I did not take in good part; it drove me to thinking, a thought 

 struck me I would put him the other side of the partition of the avairy, fortunately there 

 were two stinging game cocks for Almonds, right and left of the pen I put him in, it 

 was top row of pens, same as he had on the other side ; fastened him in a few days, 

 when I let him out, watched him; he was scarce a minute before he was in the pen on 

 his left, there was such a scuffle, he came out as though he had caught a tartar, and 

 went into his own pen to his hen; he had not been long in his pen, before he went into 

 the pen on his right; he soon came out, as though he had been treading on hot cinders; 

 he was placed on an equality, and learned good manners ; after this he became as good 

 ae "Guld," and the least troublesome cock I had in my whole aviary. A Fancier must 

 not allow a pigeon to beat him; I am aware it is different where a Fancier flies his 

 pigeons; on letting out a fresh Tumbler, it shows its summerset, and wishes him good 

 morning, still the Fancier has the consolation to watch it out of sight, besides knowing 

 which road it took, whether north, east, south or west. See John Boys, Esq., par. 590. 



637. I have found in my experience, after taking pains in making good nests in the 

 pans, birds robbing and destroying each others nests, or making their nest otherwise 

 than I could have desired, a week after they had scarce a bit of straw left in their pans; 

 having many birds this annoyed me, caused me to think how I could alter it. My pans 

 are seven inches in diameter at the top, and four inches in depth (both in the clear) , 

 sloped inwards, the bottom of the outside five inches, that they may stand firm if placed 

 on a shelf or the flooring ; they are very stout, if a bird flew upon the edge of the pan 

 it would not pull over. I get rush matting (which may be obtained at the upholsterers, 

 &c.), and placing the top of the pan upon it, cut it round, then iresh yellow deal sawdust 

 that has the turpentine in it, which insects will not come near, take a pint of this and 

 put it into the pan, work it round by a smaller pan or wooden bowl, (T once heard a 

 Professional Gentleman state he made the nest in the pans with his laps tone) carefully 

 placing the rush matting, will cover the sawdust, form a lining within the pan, retain- 

 ing the shape of the pan. 



538. While I was thinking of this plan, made up my mind to paste in the rush 

 matting, fortunately placing it in the inside of the pan, found it spring and adhere 

 closely, I abandoned the paste. It may be objected to b}' some Fanciers that the rush 

 matting would harbour the vermin, (they have no right in the aviary or loft) I believe 

 the turpentine in the fresh yellow deal sawdust would prevent that ; cause great warmth 

 to the eggs or young birds. If you have allowed vermin in your aviary or loft, you 

 must exercise care or the vermin will beat you. It is otherwise with me, I have 

 declared war against and will exterminate them, should the sawdust fail in keeping 

 away insects. Having cut a score or two of these mattings, place them one upon 

 another in a pail, then get the strongest tobacco water, pour it on the matting, let it 

 absorb as much as it will, taking them out, put a few bits of lath or stout wire placed 

 over the pail, placing the matting judiciously so as to drain into the pail that none of 

 the tobacco water is lost (you will find ample room for economy in breeding and rearing 

 the Almond Tumble! ), when dry, or nearly so, place over the sawdust and form the 

 inner lining of your nest pan; should the tobacco water drain into the sawdust so much 

 the better. I think this woiild efiectually keep them from the nest pans, it is to them 

 anything but a sweet savour. Should this faO, I will consider what will kill a young 

 pigeon, or one of these insects; if there was no other way left to extenninate the 

 vermin, I would rub a little of the blue ointment on that side of the matting that 

 comes next the sawdust, so as not to afiect the young hatched bird, a very little would 

 do, and kill all that touch it, not injuring the young bird for it is on the other side of 

 the matting; if the insects are on the top side of the matting it will most assuredly 

 pass through, where there will be something that will give it a warm reception, and 

 effectually kill it, I do not expect you will be driven to such extremities, I think you 

 will find sawdust and the decoction of tobacco combined, will cause the insects, if any, 

 to leave the birds that are sitting, and get at the botton outside the pans. You will 

 perceive it not only keeps the yoimg birds free from insects, but cleanses the old ones 

 during sitting. It will be as well to put a little hay in the bottoms of their made-up 

 pans; they like to sit on hay; it appears natural as anything I am aware of. I would 



