THE PIGEON BOOK 75 



upon birds sent me that were suffering from disease, 

 wing disease I found was a very common complaint; 

 " lump in wing " it was usually called. 



The symptoms are first, the bird affected drops the 

 outer part of the wing from the shoulder, then a swelling 

 of the wing- joint takes place, some times in the shape of 

 a soft swelling, and at other times a hard swelling. If 

 neglected, the wing becomes entirely paralysed, and the 

 bird is never able to fly again. 



Opinions differ as to the cause. One of the most re- 

 markable cases of wing disease I can remember was in 

 the loft of the late John Day, several years ago. Bird 

 after bird in his loft had the disease in a typical form. 

 As soon as one was better others were attacked, and yet 

 to all appearances the birds looked fit and well. He 

 had consulted" a specialist, but of no avail, and fresh 

 cases continued to arise. 



It was the cause he wanted to get at, not the cure, as 

 I believe he killed every bird affected. I made a thorough 

 examination of his loft, and could find absolutely nothing 

 to suggest a cause for wing disease. The food was of the 

 best and the water clean, but upon using my nose and 

 examining some old mortar he was using as grit I came to 

 the conclusion that this was the cause. This grit was 

 mouldy. It was being taken into the gizzard with the 

 food, and instead of pure blood being circulated through 

 the bird's system it was impure, diseased by the foul grit, 

 with the result that the birds suffered from general 

 debility and subsequent affection of the wing. 



After the removal of the grit and the adoption of the 

 treatment I recommended not another case occurred. 



Wing disease arises from several causes. It is one of 

 the most troublesome complaints I know amongst pigeons, 

 and one that I cannot say I am much in favour of curing. 



