time to consume it. If this state of things is not altered, the 

 greedy pouter wUl certainly die. The foUowing, however, is an 

 old-fashioned and good remedy : — 



Put the bird, feet downwards, into a worsted stocMng, and 

 stroke the crop upwards. Then hang up the stocMng, and do 

 no more than supply the imprisoned pouter with water, in 

 moderation, tiU he has digested the contents of his crop. 

 When you release them, however, don't give them their 

 liberty, or their empty beUies may tempt them to surfeit 

 themselves again. Put them under a coop, and feed them 

 for two or three days sparingly. 



The hen-pouter has not so extensive a crop as the cock, 

 nor is she so upright in her gait. A certain sign of the 

 pouter's being out of health is the hanging of his crop, 

 like an empty bag. It is customary to keep them separate 

 during the most severe winter months. The apartment devoted 

 to each bird should be at least two feet high, else the bird will 

 contract an ugly habit of stooping. 



As one of the greatest defects a pouter can possess is in- 

 abihty to control his inflated crop, it may be as well, before 

 you purchase an old bird, to see the wind-bag filled, and to 

 observe how the bird then behaves. This the bird-dealer wUl 

 do for you, or if you like you can do it yourself. Take the 

 pigeon in your hands, and hold his wings to his sides ; then 

 take his beak into your mouth, and blow gently. So far from 

 objecting to the operation, the pouter will enjoy it, and close 

 his eyes in a satisfied manner while his crop is pufied out for 

 him like a baUoon. Then stand him on the ground; if he 

 walks steadily, and evinces no disposition to totter while the 

 crop remains fully distended, you may safely buy the bird, and 

 be under ni apprehension that he will one day come to an 

 untimely end, by toppUng down a chimney or plumping into 

 the jaws of a est. 



THE KUNT. 



Despite all that has I sen written to the contrary, experience 

 warrants me in strongly recommending runts to the amateur 

 pigeon-keeper; indeed, one circumstance alone entitles them 

 to be considered the " boy's first pigeons," and that is, that 

 they are almost as unlikely to fly away as are your chickens. 

 They are very heafvy birds, and when well fed will flnd it 

 difiicult to mount, even as high as a house. They require no 

 loft or d ivecot, and, if properly tended, would thrive as wel^ 



