20 THE PRACTICAL PIGEON KEEPER. 



top large enough, to hold the hopper, supported by one single 

 central leg of smooth brass pipe, about eighteen inches high. 



We are very much inclined to think that pigeons would 

 thrive better in confinement if they could have a regular 

 supply of green food of the right kind. They certainly eat it 

 largely in a state of nature ; and though we are aware that to 

 give it is often followed by bad results, this is only too easily 

 accounted for by the intermittent nature of the supply. We 

 know several fanciers who find benefit from hanging a fresh 

 lettuce to the outside of each aviary every day throughout the 

 breeding season ; and we believe much other garden stufi' might 

 be found beneficial in the same way, or an occasional turf of 

 grass. We think it extremely likely that "Ca,nker" and 

 kindred diseases may be largely caused by the almost utter 

 absence of the cooling diet so largely provided by nature ; and 

 though we would strongly advise that all such experiments be 

 made with great caution, we do feel persuaded that careful and 

 persistent experiment in this direction would be followed by 

 general benefit to many lofts, and in particular by a fresher 

 " condition " of the birds. 



Water should be provided in a fountain, and renewed daily. 

 However true it may be that most of the pigeons wiU drink 

 from the bath, there will often be' a few that do not bathe, or 

 the -bath may now and then be forgotten. The common 

 poultry fountain, with a hood over the drinking part, will answer 

 very well for small lofts, and may be put under the lower shelf 

 if fitted up as in Fig. 3. Where more birds are kept, an all- 

 round trough is better, however, some pigeons being very 

 quarrelsome when eating or drinking. The pattern shown in 

 Fig. 13 is very good, as it is in two parts, and can be thoroughly 

 cleaned. It is made by Messrs. Crook. Fig. 14 shows another 

 useful all-round fountain, made in metal by Mr. Batty e, of 

 Leeds. 



Pigeons are very fond of washing or bathing, and for this 



