182 PIGEONS. 



good pen at the English shows for some years. The colour is often irregularly 

 and boldly pied with black or blue and white. 



The Runts shown at the present time are mostly blue or silver with dark bars 

 on the wings and white rumps, like the wild blue Rock dove. From their great 

 weight they do not fly well, and consequently are best kept in a room on the 

 ground. They are fair sitters and nurses, if allowed room to fly a little, but in 

 close confinement are unprolific. 



One great drawback to letting them fly at. large is the difficulty of keeping the 

 young out of the way of eats. 



In rearing they require no special care. Where large size is required, it is 

 better only to rear one young one in each nest, giving the other to some strong 

 vigorous foster parents. In feeding for weight, maize should form a good propor- 

 tion of their food, and they soon learn greatly to relish oatmeal mixed stiffly into a 

 paste with water. The great weights to which we have alluded cannot be gained 

 without close attention to their dietary. 



