National Standard Squab Book. vi 
Question. What is the difference between the Homer and Antwerp 
breeds of pigeons? Answer. No difference. The name is used inter- 
changeably to apply to the same breed of pigeon. In New England we 
speak of them mostly as Homers. In New Jersey they are called more 
often ‘Antwerps. 
Question. Can I 1eed some of my squabs by hand if necessary? Answer. 
Yes. Mix up a mushy, soft handful of grain, hold the squab in the left 
hand, close to your body, and with the thumb and first finger of your 
right hand force the mixture into the bill. ‘The squab will swallow and fill 
its crop. A backward squab may ‘be forced in this manner. 
Question. Can you sell me twelve pairs of young Homers, about eight 
weeks old? Answer. No. It is impossible to tell the sex of pigeons ex- 
cept by looks and habits when they are six to eight months old, so we 
cannot send out mated pairs of birds under that age. Any ‘breeder who 
undertakes to furnish squabs several weeks old in mated pairs cannot do 
so and is imposing on you. 
Question. Please ‘give recines for cooking squabs. Answer. See the 
cook books. Squabs are generally served broiled. They should be drawn, 
singed and washed. Cut off the heads, split into two parts, season, put on 
a lump of butter and broil over a hot fire. Place close to the fire at first 
so as to brown the outside and retain the juices, then hold further away 
from the fire to complete the cooking. If roasted, leave them in a hot 
oven for thirty minutes. For roasting, squabs may be stuffed with cran- 
berries or currants. Baste every ten minutes with spoonfuls of hot water 
and butter. 
Question. How shall I train the young birds raised from your Homers 
to fly? Answer. There is a large business in flying Homers and if you 
liave a pen or two of trained birds you can sell them at fancy prices. 
There are homing clubs all over the country which have contests and it is 
worth while for a breeder to work for a reputation of breeding and selling 
fast flyers. ‘Lhe young Homers when five months old are strong enough 
to be trained to fly. Take them in a basket (having omitted to feed them) 
a mile or two away, and liberate them one by one. They will circle in 
the air, then choose the correct course. You should have left grain for 
them as a reward for their safe arrival home, and an inducement for their 
next experience in flying. Two or three days later take or send them 
away five miles and repeat. Next try ten miles, and so work on by easy 
Stages up to 75 or 100 miles. If you have a friend in another city, you 
may send your birds in a basket to him with instructions to liberate cer- 
tain ones at certain hours, or you may send the basket by train to any ex- 
press agent, along with a letter telling him to liberate the birds at a cer- 
tain hour and send the basket back to you. If you wish to have the birds 
carry & message, write it on a piece of cigarette paper (or any strong 
tissue), wrap the paper around the leg of the bird and tie with thread, or 
fasten with glue or a stamp; or, you may tie the tissue around one of the 
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