188 PIGEONS. 



Several diseases of the digestive organs occur in the different varieties. Pouters 

 are apt at times to overgorge themselves with dry food, which, swelling in the crop, 

 forms an impacted mass that, if not removed, causes the death of the bird. The 

 old method of treatment was to endeavour to soften the mass by pouring some 

 water into the crop, and then to put the bird into the leg of a stocking, so as 

 to prevent the weight of the food in the crop hanging down — and suspend it 

 until the loosened mass had passed into the gizzard and been digested. In 

 intractable cases, the only mode is to cut into the crop with a sharp penknife, and 

 to remove the hardened mass. This operation is not attended with any danger to 

 the bird if skilfully performed. 



Scouring, or Diarrhcsa, is not uncommon in delicate birds not flown, or in 

 those fed on bad food. "When arising from the latter cause, the remedy is 

 obvious. In delicate birds it may often be checked by a little astringent, such as 

 a grain of green vitriol or sulphate of iron ; or, if all the birds are affected, a 

 sufficient amount of sulphate of iron may be added to the drinking water, to give 

 it a decidedly inky taste. 



Fallen Gizzard. — In some birds the muscular system is so impaired by want 

 of exercise, &c, that the weight of the internal organs presses the body down in 

 front of the vent. The term " gizzard fallen," &c, is often used to designate 

 such cases. As far as we are aware, they admit of no remedy, and the birds 

 suffering are useless as stock. 



Vertigo. — Highly-fed pigeons are subject to some diseases of the nervous 

 system, manifesting themselves in vertigo or giddiness, staggers, and unnatural 

 twisting of the head. Constrained abstinence from food for two or three days, 

 and very moderate feeding subsequently, are the most likely remedies to prove 

 effectual. 



