CHILLED EGGS AND OTHER LOSSES 69 



because he was sure no mice were there. Pink kept 

 steadily at work until he finished the building. The 

 net slaughter amounted to more than ioo mice. This 

 breeder had not been selling sufficient squabs to pay his 

 feed bills, but in a short" time 'his receipts showed a 

 comfortable margin above expenses. 



All breeders who are suffering losses from either of 

 these sources during the winter months should make 

 very careful inspection of their pigeon houses to see 

 if mice are present. Frequently, these pests may not 

 be noticed at all during the day, but if the owner 

 should step in the house at night without a light, and 

 stand quietly for a few moments, listening intently, he 

 might very soon become satisfied that his house con- 

 tains mice. 



In the chapter on buildings (page 21) particular 

 stress is laid upon the necessity of allowing no hiding 

 places under, which mice can secrete themselves. We 

 keep a continual watch, especially at the beginning of 

 cold weather, when mice are very apt to seek the 

 shelter of a warm house. Although our buildings are 

 all set on piers, we have not devised any method as 

 yet, by which we can prevent the entrance of these 

 creatures into the pigeon quarters. It is only by eter- 

 nal vigilance that we can keep our houses free from 

 them. 



Lack of vitality is another cause. — While poor re- 

 sults will be obtained by a flock of such birds at any 

 time of the year, it is most annoying during the time of 

 high prices. Two principal causes of lack of vitality 

 are inbreeding and lice. If birds have been permit- 

 ted to develop and mate in haphazard fashion, without 

 care being taken to prevent nest-mates from mating, 

 the owner may be certain that ill results will follow. 



