68 PIGEONS AND THE PIGEON FANCY ; 



up by hand, and many aone, deserted after a week or so 

 by bis parents, has floiirisbed, first on chewed cracker, 

 then on grain and water (which tbey soon learn to take 

 deftly from tbe buman moutb) ; or bas been fed literally by 

 band witb soaked peas or corn. A large number of tbe pig- 

 eons sold for food in tbe London market bave been stuffed 

 by professional feeders, wbo cbarge a penny a dozen 

 squabs for feeding tbem witb millet or tares and water 

 from tbeir moutb. The crop is blown füll in an instant 

 and a wbole meal tbiis giventbe astonisbed bird in almost 

 tbe twinkling of an eye. Tbe increase in weigbt of a 

 young pigeon is tbus given by an Englisb clergyman. It 

 was a young barb, and weigbed at hatcbing one-balf oz. 



The following are its weights on tbe respective days : — 



6tb day 



4} oz. 



7th '' 



5f *' 



9th *' 



8J *< 



12th ** 



10 *' 



18th *' 



llj *' 



20tb '* 



llf *' 



Imo. 



12i '* 



or a little more 

 than tbe mother. In four or five weeks tbe bird is flying 

 about, and in six months or so is anxious to find a mate 

 of bis own. 



Pigeons are great bathers, and common ones are often 

 Seen squatting in tbe puddles. During a shower, tbey 

 sprawl about upon tbe roof, lying upon tbe side witb one 

 wing uplifted, that tbe drops may fall beneath it ; and tbey 

 sometimes remain out until completely drenched. 



In tbeir manner of drinking tbey resemble horses, suck- 

 ing all tbey wish — a heartypull — without raising tbe 

 bead, and, when very thirsty, immersing tbe beak nearly 

 to tbe eyes. 



