10 



In buying, always buy of a reputable breeder whose word 

 may be taken for the quality of his birds. The reputable 

 breeder sells in the hope of selling again and sells only such 

 birds as he can recommend and knows will give satisfaction. 



If the reputable breeder says the pairs he sells are mated, 

 it may be depended upon that there are an equal number of 

 each sex in a purchase and that these pairs are already mated 

 and ready to go to work almost as soon as they are in their 

 new homes. 



Some very reputable breeders sell young birds with the un- 

 derstanding that they are sold just as they come from the 

 nests, the buyer knowing when he buys the birds that they ■ 

 are not mated and that he must wait until the birds have 

 arrived at mating age and get ready to mate themselves. 



When birds are bought just as they come from the nests, 

 there are almost always more cocks than hens among them, 

 as about nine times in ten when only one bird is reared in a 

 nest that bird is a cock ; but there is nothing unfair in this 

 sort of a sale, as the buyer gets his birds at a lower price 

 than he would have to pay for mated pairs ready to go to 

 work. 



WHAT IS MEANT BY MATED PAIRS ? 



When we say mated pairs, we do not mean simply an 

 equal number of birds of each sex. We mean pairs which 

 have mated and married and are ready to go to work and 

 rear squabs without further waiting after they have been 

 received. 



Pigeons mate in pairs and remain constant to each other 

 for life, as a rule. When a pair have gone through the court- 



