Breeding. 73 



them these capsules, enable them to assimilate more 

 fully whait food the aid birds have to give them, and 

 also enable them to feather quickl3'. 



USEFUL PRECAUTIONS. 



When the old birds are going to nest again they 

 often forget to cover the young squabs ait night, and 

 this is when the harm is done. Young squabs that 

 are kept warm at night, even though they may not 

 be over well fed, will thrive and do better than those 

 which are better fed but having nothing to keep them 

 warm through the long cold nights of the early part 

 of the season. When a fancier finds thdt the old 

 birds are again driving to nest, he should take careful 

 notice of his stock as soon as night closes in, and if 

 those hens intent on preparing for their second family 

 neglect to cover their early babes, artificial covering 

 should be provided in the shape of a piece of old 

 fi-aiinel or blanket being thrown over the nest pan each 

 nighlt. 



CARELESS PARENTS. 



Should the parents be on further matrimonial 

 projects so intent that they neglect to feed their first 

 babes the owner will have to hand-feed them. When 

 this is needed, a quantity of mixed corn, maple peas, 

 tares, wheat, dari, and some small Indian com should 

 be soaked in water for 24 hours, and given to the 

 squabs. There are two methods of hand-feeding. 

 One is by taking a han^dful of ithe soaked corn and 

 forcing it into the throats of the squabs by the mani- 

 pulation of the forefinger and thumb — and some fan- 

 ciers are very clever in so filling a youngster's crop. 

 The other method is to fill the mouth with the soaked 

 corn. Place the beak of the youngster between the 

 lips, and by the action of the tongue eject the corn 

 into the squab's crop. I have known fanciers who 

 could thus feed a dozen youngsters as quickly and 

 effedtively as their own parents would feed them. 



A NEEDFUL CAUTION. 



In connection with this hand-feeding with soaked 

 corn, I must give a special word of warning. After 

 the water in which it has been soaking has been 



