140 PiGEOXS AND Au, AbOUT ThEM. 



plumaged birds as yellows, creams, sihers, duns, 

 mealies, and blues. Further, whilst most excellent 

 as softeners of hard water, they lack the power of 

 making the plumage glossy, which is possessed bv the 

 gl\ cerine. 



The process of washing withdraws from the 

 plumage much of its natural oil, and it is a day or 

 two before this gets restored, and if no glycerine is 

 used the plumage dries harsh, hard, and lifeless look- 

 ing. Some fanciers only use the glycerine in the 

 rinsing ^\■aters. 1 used to do so myself, but experi- 

 ence teaches, and no^^• whene\er I ^wash any birds I 

 use glycerine in all three waters. The quantity 

 of glycerine should be a good teaspoonful 

 to each quart of water. The water in the second 

 and third basins should be each slightly cooler than 

 the other. That is, the first rinsing -water must not 

 be so hot as the water in which the washing is per- 

 formed, whilst the second rinsing water should be 

 cooler still; in fact, only just about lukewarm, or, 

 as they say in the North, " nicely aired." 



AN IMPORTANT FACTOR. 



One most important factor in the successful 

 washing of Pigeons, or, for the matter of that, any 

 other bird, is not to allow the plumage to come, into 

 direct contact with the soap if it can possibly be 

 ayoided. Therefore, before taking the first bird out 

 of the basket in which it has been brought in from 

 the loft, make a good lather of suds in the first bowl, 

 using the nail brush and soap for this purpose. 



The suds ha^•ing been prepared, you will now be 

 read\ to commence the operation proper. Take the 

 bird from the basket and hold it in your left hand, 

 with its head towards you. Immerse it bodily in the 

 suds, leaving only its head exposed. Hold it thus for 

 a moment or two to let the water thoroughly saturate 

 and soften the plumage. Then take the bird's left 

 «ing in your right hand, and \\ork it to and fro in 

 the suds, so as to loo.sen the dirt by the action of 

 the water ; transfer the bird to your right hand, and 

 work the other wing about Avitli your left hand. A 



