HINTS ON , EXHIBITING. 65 



may be allowed as regards the heads of some black pigeonsj such 

 as Barbs, which often have to be washed, and would then look 

 very dry if shown in such a state. When such washing is neces- 

 sary, therefore, some people think it no wrong to put a small par- 

 ticle of butter on the still wet head, and wipe thoroughly in with 

 a damp towel. This process restores the brilliancy of look, but 

 requires great care not to overdo it ; the secret is to put the 

 butter on while wet, and then with the wet towel endeavour, 

 as it were, to get it all off again. It is perhaps fortunate that 

 the process is only capable of being successfully applied to the 

 fine short feathers of the head, and we have seen it overdone 

 even there. Strictly speaking, it is an artificial improvement ; 

 but'it is generally done by people who know how, and is at 

 all events a comparatively innocent kind of thing. We hold, 

 however, that if any grease be apparent, even on the head, it 

 ought to disqualify. 



Pigeons shown in pairs should be separated a few days — 

 and only a few, say two or three — ^before the show. When 

 they come together in the show-pen, their mutual gratification 

 will cause them both to show to the best advantage they are 

 capable of. 



Never return a pigeon to the loft after exhibition till you 

 have given it a most careful scrutiny. If the crop is empty and 

 it seems " done up,'' see that it both eats and drinks, and only 

 moderately at first. If anything seems the matter, keep it 

 apart till you see what it is. Attention to these simple 

 instructions may save many birds and much trouble. 



