The WASHI^■G of Pigeons. 145 



warm dry cloths from off the front of the dryhig 

 basket, roll the bird in it, and wipe your hands in one 

 of the others. Having done this, throw one end of 

 the cloth over your left hand, place the bird in it, 

 ^\•ith your fingers and thumb underneath the wings, 

 take the other end of the cloth in the right hand and 

 proceed to carefully and softly dry up what water is 

 left in the feathers of the back, wings, and tail. At 

 the same time you should so manipulate the left hand 

 that all the water in the under portion of the body is 

 extracted. Then straighten the feathers of the wings 

 and tail by drawing them separately through the 

 fingers of the right hand. 



Hold the bird carefully and verv firmlv by the 

 thighs, letting the legs fall between the first and 

 second fingers of the right hand. This will cause the 

 bird to flutter its wings about, which A\-ilI assist in 

 the webbing process. The tail may also be aided in 

 this direction by holding the bird firmlv in both hands 

 and waving it to and fro for a moment or two. It 

 must be remembered that the whole of the washing 

 process must be conducted as closelv to the fire as 

 possible, so as to avoid any risk of chill or cold being 

 contracted. To allow n bird to get cold -when its 

 plumage is wet, and after it has recently been in ^^•arm 

 water, and all the pores of its skin opened, would be 

 courting disaster swift and sure. 



HOW BIRDS STAND THE BATH. 

 Naturally, some birds stand the process of wash- 

 ing better than others, owing to being possessed of 

 either a stronger and more muscular body, or else a 

 less highly sensitive ner\ous organisation. With 

 some there is little, if anv, enervating result, but on 

 some of the weaker ones it has a somewhat exhaust- 

 ing effect. I have before now seen some extra 

 nervous birds absolutely prostrate after the operation, 

 but only once have I kno\\'n one to die ; that was 

 when some patent special Pigeon wash was being 

 tried, and the bird died not from exhaustion induced 

 bv the washing, but bv suffocation from the fumes 

 arising from the potent, as well as patent, Pigeon 

 wash. 



