General Management. 39 



and break, espccialh' in frosty weather, and the 

 majority of them are not so easily- liandled, by reason 

 of theiir weight, as those made of iron and enamelled ; 

 neither are they so easily cleansed. The fountain 

 should stand in the flight in a shady comer, so as to 

 keep the. water cool. Sun-warmed water is apt to 

 cause diarrhoea. Further, the water is not sO' likc4y 

 to become fouled as if placed in the loft. In the loft, 

 sawdust, dirt, and dust are all apt to find their way 

 into it. 



THE ORDER OF THE BATH. 



Many fanciers are apt to undervalue the impor- 

 tance of the bath. I may tell them that if Pigeons 

 are to be kept in good health it is of the most vital 

 importance that they should be allowed to bathe 

 freely. This fact is not sufficiently appreciated and 

 recognised by fanciers, and many who attend well to 



Zinc Bath. 



other details of management are apt to be lax about 

 the bath. Water is cheap enough, and,, generally 

 speaking, plentiful enough. Therefore, there is 

 neither sense nor reason in withholding it from the 

 birds. In summer most Pigeons will, if given the 

 opportunity, bathe every day, and in winter time 

 every othiar day, and they should be given the oppor- 

 tunity. One of the first symptoms of a bird being out 

 of sorts is a refusal to bathe, and birds which do not 

 bathe should be examined and watched carefully. I 

 have, in speaking of the utensils needed, described 

 the form of bath which I favour. Pigeons delight in 

 the tub. They are amongst the cleanest of animals, 

 and the pleasure and enjoyment they receive from 

 being able to indulge in the luxury of a good bath is 



