88 PIGEONS AND ALL ABOUT TIIEM. 



Hence the great necessity of training young l)irds so that 

 when human beings of either sex come past the front of the 

 pens, they will be glad to see them. Of all the different va- 

 ieties of birds, none will stand training better than -Pouters. 

 Fantails come next, but I have seen birds of almost every 

 known kind, come to the front of the pens, and "play" to 

 the judge. 



I remember at one of the first shows I ever judged, years 

 ago, I was taking my first look along the string of short 

 face Tumblers, and came across a little Almond lien. She 

 looked so small, and so pitiful, and lonesome, that I spoke 

 kindly to her, and, much to my surprise she brightened up, 

 and came to the front of the pen, and curteysied to me in the 

 most charming manner. We had (|uite a fiirtation, and I 

 soon had her so that when I cooed to her, slie would strut in 

 the most self-satisfied way I ever saw. 



We became great friends, and it is needless to say that 

 when I was through with that class, a nice blue ribbon 

 adorned her coop. I would not have hurt her feelings by 

 giving her anything less. 



I merely quote this little incident to show how the average 

 judge is drawn towards a bird that is thoroughly trained to 

 the pen. A bird that shows confidence in,' and affection for 

 him. 



If one wants to get station on his birds, and if they are in- 

 clined to crouch, a good idea is to run canvas around the 

 training pens, half or two thirds of the way up, so tliat the 

 bird is compelled to stand erect to see out. 



Very naturally the man who shows Carriers, Barbs, etc., 

 must see that their wattles are perfectly clean. Too much 

 care cannot be spent on them, and the washing of Carrier's 

 wattles should be done some two weeks before the show, so 

 that the "bloom" will have time to appear. 



