Breeding. 81 



to their bodies. Thus, if they are moulting at such 

 time, there is a double strain on their systems, and 

 the consequence is that neither do their coats grow 

 properly, nor are their constitutions kept in full force 

 and vigour. Bad as this is for the young stock, it 

 is infinitely worse for the old birds. The strain of 

 rearing four or five nests of youngsters is great, and 

 when they have done so it stands to reason their 

 supply of nervous 'energy and constitutional vigour 

 has been severely taxed, and must of necessitj' be at 

 a low ebb. Thus, when the moult commenoes, wlhich 

 it does before they have finished tending their last 

 nest of babes, they have not the requisite strength to 

 go through it in a healthy normal manner. As a 

 consequence thej' become ready prey, not only to 

 colds and chills, but to many other ailments to which 

 Pigeon flesh is heir, and which are generally stalking 

 about through the loft seeking something to devour. 

 jVIany and many a good old hen has been lost owing 

 to her owner's greed in seeking to take too many 

 youngsters from her. 



HOW NOT TO DO IT. 



As an illustration of the harm that is done by 

 late breeding, 1 will give a case whidh came under 

 my notice some time since. A fancier known to me 

 was the possessor of a wonderfuUj' good bird, one of 

 the best of its variety living. He had never owned 

 such a good specimen before, and as the breeding 

 season progressed the owner found that the pride of 

 his loft was just as good a stock bird as he was a show 

 bird. The youngsters he produced were magnificent 

 specimens of their kind, and well fitted to uphold the 

 honour of the loft in the show pen. This being so, 

 my friend bred on and on until he had taken no less 

 than six nests from his champion. Breeding both 

 early and late, he burned the candle at both ends, with 

 the result that the gem of his collection never moulted 

 properly, was in a sort of half-moulted, ragged state 

 all through the winter, and thus was never fit to 

 show. The next year's breeding season came round, 

 and the bird was paired up, with the result that the 



