40 



Pigeons and Ali, About Them. 



great. When birds are in good health they go boldly 

 into the water, opening their wings and splashiiig like 

 a lot of kids bathing on the beach. They lie in the 

 water, allowing it to permeate their plumage and 

 loosen the dirt and scurf of the bod.v ; and in a little 

 while a bath soon has the appearance of containing 

 chalky or milk.v water. No better proof could be 

 given of the necessity of the bath for Pigeons. A 

 final word of warning. Remove the bath immediately 

 the birds have finished their ablutions. If this is not 

 done some of them may be tempted to drink from the 

 bath instead of the fountain, and thus take into their 

 systems the dirt which is floating on the top of the 

 water. 



GRIT AND ITS USES. 



This is one of the things Pigeons cannot do with- 

 out. Grit, in some shape or form, is absolutely need- 

 ful to their welfare. Sharp, flinty grit is needed to 

 assist them in the digestion of their food, and to keep 

 their bodies in good health. With the grit should be 

 given salt, and most of the grits which are now 



Covered Grrt Box. 



specially prepared for the use of Pigeon fanciers con- 

 tain salt in some form or other, ijime, too, is need- 

 ful to assist the hens in preparing the matter ^\■ith 

 which to shell their eggs, whilst for the voung birds 

 i't provides matter for the building up of bone and 

 feather. Old mortar used to be in great request by 

 Pigeon fanciers, but I would warn my readers against 

 u.sing this. iMortar is not now made like it used to 



