FOOD AND DRINK 41 



the grain was damaged until it was found to be ex- 

 tremely hot by thrusting the hand deeply into it. 

 Feeding this unsound grain cost the lives of some very 

 valuable birds. 



Importance of pure wheat and corn. — Grains after 

 being harvested pass through a period of sweating in 

 shock, stack, mow or bin, as the case may be. While 

 passing through this stage, if put in the stack or mow 

 too green or damp they will heat. The same result 

 may ensue if threshed immediately after harvest, 

 stored in a bin or heap and not frequently stirred, if 

 no good system of ventilation is provided. Until new 

 grains have been carefully and thoroughly cured they 

 are unsafe to feed. A good nose and a competent 

 taste are the best guides in examining the food supply 

 for pigeons. We seldom feed new wheat before 

 October i or new corn until after Christmas. In no 

 case do we feed either corn or wheat or any other 

 grain, unless they pass a critical test of nose and palate. 



Other grains. — Besides wheat and corn, the other 

 staples are Canada peas, kafir corn, German millet and 

 hemp. Corn must be cracked, but the other grains are 

 fed whole. Unless one can get a very small-grained 

 corn, whole grains are too large for the squabs' throats. 

 All the meal must be sifted from the cracked corn. 

 The birds cannot eat fine particles and if these are 

 allowed to accumulate in the feed trough, they usually 

 heat and contaminate the other grain. On the other 

 hand, if unsifted cracked corn is placed in bulk it will 

 surely heat in damp weather. 



Keeping the supply fresh. — Well seasoned grains, 

 other than cracked corn, may be safely stored in quan- 

 tity, if care is taken to see that they keep pure and 

 sweet. Cracked corn should be supplied each week. 



