Breeding. 57 



natural. Granted ! Bnt what is absolutal}' and en- 

 tiTelj' natural in the manner in which domestic 

 Pigeons are bred and reared? Breeding under the 

 artificial conditions we do we cannot ensure natural 

 methods being followed. Therefore, the best we can 

 do is to get as near to them as possible, and when we 

 cannot get as close as we should like, let Art step in 

 to aid Nature. The eggs of wild Pigeons are exposed 

 much more to the dampness of the atmosphere than 

 are those of domestic Pigeons, and the dampness thus 

 denied must be supplied in some other manner. The 

 soaking in warm water I have proved over and over 

 again to be of much service. I have soaked thousands 

 of eggs, and I believe with the most beneficial effects. 



A IvESSON FROM NATURE. 



That a moist atmosphere is conducive to the suc- 

 cessful hatching of eggs has been proved over and 

 over again. In addition to its exposure to the 

 moisture of the atmosphere, the nest of the wild 

 Pigeon is damped and moistened by the parent birds 

 themselves. The}^ have to seek their food among 

 the wild grasses and growing crops, and these at morn- 

 ing and night contain a great deal of moisture, which 

 is to some greater or lesser extent communicated to 

 the feathers of the birds as they seek their food. 

 Again, the birds bathe in the streams in the ^voods 

 and on the edge of ponds, and bring the moisture 

 back to their nests. This teaches us that during the 

 period of incubation the bath should be liberally sup- 

 plied to birds which are breeding. Every day should 

 the baths be given. One day early in the morning, 

 so that the cocks may bathe before they take up their 

 position on the nest, and the next daj? after the cocks 

 are on the eggs. This method ensures cocks and hens 

 getting a bath every other da}', and when it is pro- 

 vided in this manner few Pigeons there are that will 

 refuse it. If the bath is given late in the morning 

 the cocks never get the use of it during the incuba- 

 tory period, and this is a mistake. Further, if it is 

 given early and allowed to remain all the morning, 

 so that the hens may have a turn as well as the cocks. 



