64 THE PRACTICAL PIGEON KEEPER. 



is apt to catch and ruffle the plumage, as well as giving toe 

 mucli draught in bad weather. Fantail cells should be "shaped" 

 very carefully ; and even then it is almost impossible to get 

 this variety to a show without some damage to the tails. 



A basket should never be lined at the top or bottom — only 

 at the sides, to keep off wind. For the bottom, we infinitely 

 prefer tan to anything else : it is clean, very conducive to health, 

 a natural antiseptic, and keeps the birds in good condition. 

 Where they can be got easily, hops are also good for the same 

 reasons. Next we prefer cut straw ; long straw makes pigeons 

 dirty on a long journey. 



White pigeons sometimes require to be washed. In that 

 case use soft water at 90°, with good curd soap, and a very little 

 blue — just a shade. Use the soap freely, and wash tjoell ; after 

 that, the great secret is to wash every particle of soap completely 

 out, and to dry by hand. That is, hold the bird, turning it 

 about, a moderate' distance from the fire tUl it is nearly or quite 

 dry. Light SUvers often look dirty, but cannot be washed so 

 well, the process taking off the peculiar powder called " bloom,'' 

 of which pigeons have so much, and thereby spoiling the effect 

 completely. 



On the other hand, the removal of that same bloom will 

 considerably improve a poor bluish-black. Faulty colours are 

 oiled by some people, but such tricks are so evident' as to be 

 more disgusting than anything else. The best that can be done 

 for any faulty-coloured bird capable of being improved by more 

 richness is done as . follows, which is not considered unfair. 

 Work the palms of the hands violently together (or adopt any 

 other mode of exercise) till they perspire pretty freely : then 

 take your bird and stroke it persistently with the moist hand. 

 In this way the bloom is removed, and an imperceptible " polish" 

 given, which in some cases is very remaikable for such simple 

 means. A judge who gives a prize to an " oiled bird " never 

 ought to be asked to judge again. Perhaps some little exception 



