120 Pigeons and Ali. About Them. 



Some exhibitors presume on the fact that judges 

 do not like to pass the champion birds, and thus will 

 not take the trouble to put them down spic and span. 

 I hardly know who to blame most — the judges who 

 allow such presumption to grow up in exhibitors' 

 minds, or the exhibitors who presume. Most of our 

 schedules say " the prizes shall be awarded for beauty 

 of plumage, high quality, and condition," etc. Now, 

 how can there be beauty of plumage and high condi- 

 tion in a bird which is smothered in dirt? 



TONING DP. 



Before a bird is sent to a show it should be given 

 a few of Dixon's Revi\ers to tone it up a bit and 

 two days before the show — that is, the day before be- 

 ing sent off, the wattles — if it is a wattled varietj' — 

 ceres, legs, and feet should be well washed. The 

 sponge, soap, and water will do all that is required 

 about the legs, feet, and ceres, but around the mouth, 

 nostrils, and wattles, the tooth-brush will come in 

 iuseful. The wattle in wattled birds, should be 

 opened in all its crevices, and the brush well soaped, 

 carefully inserted, then the sponge should remove 

 th'e dirt by the aid of water. Not only will this cleanse 

 the wattle, but it will make it soft and pliable for 

 a time, and by a little manipulation its appearance 

 may be greatly improved. After the sponging has 

 been well done, the ceres, wattles, face, etc., should 

 be carefully dried with a soft towel, and a little violet 

 powder, or Pear's Prepared Fullers Earth dusted into 

 the crevices of the wattles. Not onlj^ will this clean- 

 sing add considerably to the appearance of the bird 

 so treated, but it will also greath' increase its comfort. 



CATCHING THE EYE OF THE JUDGE. 



A bird so cleansed will catch the eye of the careful 

 judge much before one that is dirty and greasy. When 

 a bird is put down clean and smart it looks as though 

 the owner takes a pride in the appearance of his stock, 

 and it is only fitting that his labours should be re- 

 warded. There is one fancier whom I know who is 

 most assiduous in the care and attention which he 



