130 Pigeons and Ai,l Abuut Them. 



ill their own loft each night, and get a drink and feed 

 at home, both before and after the show. In such 

 circumstances little harm can come to them. But 

 wlieii the shows are some distance awa^^ from home, 

 and they have to travel by themselves — in some cases 

 going from one show to another — how is it possible for 

 them to keep up in condition ? vSeldom getting a good 

 feed, having to drink polluted water day after day (a 

 glance at the drinking tins at our shows speaks for 

 itself) having to sleeji in a sho^\• pen or a basket five 

 nights out of seven, and oiih' al)ly to get a good wash 

 once a week — how can they keep in condition ? 



It is really amazing the amount oi thoughtlessness 

 sllo^vll by some exhibitors. To endure what they 

 are asked to endure, their Pigeons ^^•oll]d need to be 

 as strong as a horse. In the midst of so many hand- 

 books on Pigeons, and such a number of practical 

 articles as appear almost ever}- week in " Pigeons," 

 it does seem strange that men are still to be found 

 who have yet to learn that the first state of an exhibi- 

 tion Pigeon is that known as being " lit." 



o\'Er.sh:(iw-ixg KiEL.s :\rAx\' good birds. 



When this takes place their owners have much to 

 say to their friends about the bad luck they have met 

 \vitli in the death of such grand birds — such noted win- 

 ners ! Yet they themselves will ha\-e been responsible. 

 If fanciers will not study the care and comfort of their 

 birds, and treat them in a natural and humane manner, 

 they certainly cannot hope for success in the show i>en. 

 Ciood birds need to be well shown to reach the top of 

 the tree. 



When birds liaxx- U) be sent away from home to 

 shows without anyone in attendance, one show a week 

 is quite sufficient. In fact, that is really too much 

 if it is kei't up regularly without a break for any 

 length of time. Some of our best fanciers never show 

 their choice birds more than three or four times in a 

 season. The>- know tliat if tlie\- do over-show them 

 they "will not be able to procreate their kind in the 

 Spring, when the breeding season is upon them. 



