98 SQUABS FOR PROFIT 



what returns he would get the first month and what 

 he might expect during the first year. When we ex- 

 plained that we did not know any source of supply 

 whence he could get good birds in such quantity he 

 seemed surprised. He had supposed that it was only 

 necessary to write to some large dealer and have a 

 shipment of mated birds made at once. Upon further 

 advice, he wrote some of the most extensive pigeon 



FIG. 38— SUNNING SHELF UNDEB THE EAVES. 



advertisers and requested replies to the following 

 questions : What is the age of the pigeons you will 

 furnish me? How many squabs did they produce last 

 year? Are they banded? Are they mated? Will 

 you furnish a guarantee that all the birds are mated? 

 Will you furnish a list, showing which two birds con- 

 stitute a pair? 



We had explained to him that unless he bought 

 mated birds and had a list, showing which two were 

 mates, he would have to do this work as soon as he re- 

 ceived them, otherwise, he could not expect any profit 

 until this was done. After receiving several replies, 

 with no assurances of getting mated birds with a writ- 

 ten guarantee, he concluded not to go into the 

 business of squab raising. 



