44 THE PIGEON BOOK 



ventilated loft inclines to a fast moult, and, moreover, in 

 such conditions the newly-grown feathers will not be as 

 hard and healthy as they ought to be. 



Frequently birds are found with blood quills both in 

 the wing and in the tail. 



This, in my opinion, is due to lack of vitality, and the 

 treatment that I have found best in the case of blood 

 quills is to hold the affected feathers under the tap so 

 as to give the bird a gentle shower bath. In fact, during 

 the growth of the feathers I know of nothing so im- 

 portant as a regular bath, and to improve the feather 

 and enrich the blood, particularly when in the moult, I 

 believe a free life in the fields, with plenty of green- 

 meat, most essential. In the case of town lofts, the 

 green-meat should be served regularly in the loft, and 

 when lettuces are in season I know of nothing better. 



If fanciers will bear in mind the importance of the 

 moult they will have no difficulty in keeping their birds 

 in the best of health. 



During the moulting season not only do birds renew 

 their feathers, but it is the period at which they throw 

 off any effete matter from the system. 



CHAPTER FIVE. 



DISEASES. 



Upon the aptitude of a fancier to know when his birds 

 are healthy or when they are diseased depends his success 

 as a pigeon •breed2r 



First let me describe the appearance of a healthy 

 pigeon. 



The most important consideration is the plumage. 



