Breeding. 75 



and begin to take interest in the great world outside, 

 they are stj'led squeakers. Plow the two names 

 originated I am unable to say, but the latter appella- 

 tion i's indeed a good one, for the young Pigeon from 

 three to eight or ten weeks is a most effective 

 saueaker. He not only squeaks vyhen he wants food, 

 but he squeaks if he is handled, and he also squeaks 

 if other Pigeons interfere with him. 



E.\RLY RISING NEEDFUL. 



During the breeding season the would-be success- 

 ful fanci'er must be up betimes in the morning. Firsts, 

 specials, and challenge cups are not for the sluggard. 

 If young Pigoous are to make prize-winners in after 

 life they must be kept growing, and the best way to 

 keep them growing is to let them have plenty of good 

 food, early and late. Pigeons, like all other winged 

 fowl of the air, are early risers, and they begin to 

 move about even before the sun is above the horizon ; 

 and for young Pigeons to have to run about for a 

 loaig time in the cold air of the early morning with 

 nothing in their crops is not conducive to growth of 

 body, muscle, or feather. As it is most important 

 that these should be developed in the best manner 

 possible, it will at ojice be seen how necessary it is 

 that the young birds should go to bed with their 

 crops full, and have them replenished as early as 

 passible in the morning, because during the lon.g 

 watches of the night the food given at eventide will 

 have been digested, and all its warmth-giving and 

 growth-giving properties assimilated. Warmth is a 

 great factor in the growth of a young Pigeon's body, 

 and also' iii its feathering. 



VALUE OF AN EARLY FEED. 



Now we are all of us fully aware that we. our- 

 selves feel the raw, nippy air of the early Spring 

 mornings far more before breakfast than we do after, 

 and if we do — how much more must the naked squabs 

 and half-naked squeakers ! With a full stomach they 

 not only grow and make feather, but their bodies are 

 strengthened and built up so that they are able to 



