84 PIGEONS AND ALL ABOUT TIIEM. 



than one hundred just as good looking, but Impregnated 

 with inherited diseases, and it is by following whati have 

 said, that to-day, if I miss hatching and' raising a good 

 sound youngster from each and every egg. It is because the 

 egg lacks fertility. 



It is a good thing to "vvatch young pigeons at two times in 

 their career. First, when the mother Jays the second time, 

 and the old ones are disposed to feed them hurriedly, with- 

 out giving the food time to digest in their own crops. Again 

 when the parents stop feeding them, and the young have to 

 hustle for themselves. At this latter time they are apt to eat 

 anything and everything that they can swallow, and take 

 grain that is too coarse. Care should be taken to have fine 

 feed where they can get it. 



The beginner should beware of the danger of over-crowd- 

 ing his loft. The proper thing is to decide, (by experience, 

 if possible,) just how many pairs the loft can comfortably 

 accommodate, and then never begin the season with more 

 than that number. 



