98 
The Australasian Book of Poultry. 
be found underneath the scales, which, on being soaked, can easily be removed with the end of a blunt 
penknife. A good rubbing-down each time with a silk handkerchief, after taking the bird out of the 
training-pen, will greatly assist in putting a bloom upon the plumage, which will improve the appearance of 
the birds considerably. Washing birds— those of white, buff, or parti-coloured plumage, such as Pile 
Leghorns — is almost a fine art, and to become a successful washer is not learned in a day. The best plan 
we know is that followed out by one of our most successful Pigeon Exhibitors, who has repeatedly been 
informed by jealous competitors that his birds were oiled, and they had to be convinced that such was not the 
case by being allowed to rub or wipe the birds with a white handkerchief. The mode of operation is rather 
lengthy, but if followed out properly will give startling results in improving the appearance of the birds. A 
plentiful supply of towels is required, and a copper of boiling water on the fire, ready at hand to use. The 
first water is placed in a small bath or tub, the water being heated to about 105 degrees Fahr. Into this is 
cut up into small shavings some 40Z. of Sunlight or other good soap, making a good lather. The bird is 
immersed into this, and the whole plumage well soaked, then rubbing the feathers hard (they will not break 
while wet), using a toothbrush on the wing-feathers if very dirty. The dirt on the plumage will show up quite 
distinctly while wet, and this must be all removed if a good appearance is wished for. After the dirt is all 
removed from the feathers the suds should be squeezed out as much as possible, and the bird immersed into 
another tub of warm water, heated to the same degree as the first, in which half an ounce of borax has been 
dissolved. The bird should be thoroughly well rinsed in this bath, taking care that all the soap is removed 
from the plumage, then again immersed in a third tub of water heated as before, to which has been added 
enough ordinary washing blue to give a decided tinge to the water, gently moving the bird backwards and 
Fig. 52. — Skeleton of Travelling Coop for Eight Birds in separate compartments. 
forwards so as to allow the whole plumage to be soaked, then taking the bird out, squeezing as much of the 
blue water out of the feathers as possible, again immersing the bird into a fourth tub of lukewarm water, to 
which has been added an ounce of glycerine and an ounce of honey well dissolved, giving the bird a thorough 
rinsing in this, afterwards squeezing as much of the water out of the feathers as practicable, well wiping with 
one towel and finishing with another, both of which are best w.rrmed by the fire. The bird may now be 
placed in a wicker coop, with straw on the bottom. If a fine sunny day the coop may be placed in the sun, 
but not so as the sun will shine on the bird, or placed at a fair distance from the fire — not too close, as 
excessive heat would blister the comb and wattles, when in a few hours at most the bird's feathers will have 
webbed beautifully, and the operation is complete. It is marvellous what a difference this will make in any 
bird, even if of black, or red and black plumage, when properly performed. The operation is not nearly as 
lengthy as would appear. A number of birds, from ten to a dozen, can be done in an hour or so, and the 
trouble taken will be amply repaid by the improvement in their appearance. Occasionally a bird 
will go off into a faint when being treated the first time, but if cold water is applied to the bird's head in this 
instance no fear of evil results will arise. An excellent travelling coop, to contain four, six, or eight birds, is 
described by Figs. 52 and 53, and to any amateur handy with tools is easy of manufacture. The bottom of 
boards, the sides and ends may be made of laths, or of small-mesh galvanized wire fastened by staples to the 
uprights, and the sides and top lined throughout with hessian or coarse bagging. This offers great 
advantages over the wicker coops in not being nearly so liable to get out of shape, is nearly as light in 
comparison to number of birds accominodated, is not so costly, easier packed, easier handled, and last, but 
