86 Pigeons and All About The-^i. 



to them. When a disraatcliing of this character takes 

 place, two pairs usually are involved, because of the 

 necessity of finding fresh mates, unless it be in a large 

 stud where a number of both cocks and hens are held 

 in reserve. 



Immediately the birds are taken from the breeding 

 loft their nest-box should be fastened up. This will 

 prevent other birds from starting on a roving career, 

 and save a lot of squabbling and fighting when the 

 birds which have been re-matched are brought back 

 into the loft. In bringing them back it is most essen- 

 tial that each cock should be placed in the same nest- 

 ing box with his new mate as he occupied with his 

 first love. The reason why, does some young reader 

 wish to know? Because the cock bird is the one 

 which selects the home for his bride, and having 

 inhabited it with his first love will certainly endeavour 

 to introduce his second love to it, should his owner 

 be so foolish as to place him elsewhere. Let the cock 

 have his original home ; it will do much to make him 

 forget his first love, and encourage him to settle down 

 with the second bride of his master's choosing. 



SIMPLE VET IJIPORT.\NT !M.\TTERS. 



I have been progressing somewhat too fast. \Mien 

 the birds that have not fulfilled expectations are dis- 

 matched they must, as I have said, have a week or 

 ten days solitary confinement, or else be placed with 

 other surplus cocks and hens. If this latter course is 

 followed it will be beneficial, because the birds will 

 be getting regular exercise and baths, which they 

 will not get if the resources of the stud are such that 

 they have to be penned up. Ha\'ing been given time 

 to forget their first loves they will pair up the more 

 quickly when introduced to their new mates. These 

 are simple little matters, but upon their neglect or 

 carrying out great issues may hang, and it is in these 

 little things that the young fanciers need ad\-;cc and 

 guidance. Wisdom comes with experience, and the 

 old hands are apt to smile at times at simjile and 

 elementan.' teaching. They may smile. They have 

 learnt wisdom, some of them at great cost ; liecause 



