42 
The Illustrated Book of Plgeons. 
of this will be necessary, till the young birds are entirely independent. But soaked beans and peas 
must always be used, both to make them easier of digestion and to supply the place of drinking, 
until the young ones are able to satisfy their own wants. Pigeons brought up by hand are much 
longer in learning to feed than those which are fed by their parents in the natural way. 
While the young pigeons are growing, their nest-pan should be cleaned out from time to 
time, and clean sawdust substituted. This should not, however, be done too often, and the 
same care must be taken to avoid startling the old birds as we have already spoken of in 
relation to other matters. 
As soon as the young pigeons are fairly independent, it will conduce greatly to success if they 
can be turned into a separate loft or compartment of their own. Some old birds are very 
tyrannical over the as yet weakly youngsters ; but birds all of the year, especially if all of one 
variety, are much more peaceable, and it is always found that they thrive much better if thus 
kept to themselves. Tiresome as nearly all pigeon diseases are when once contracted, it is 
fortunately true that the birds are little liable to any of them, if only given room, air, and exercise, 
with fair attention to cleanliness and gravel, as well as food. We repeat, therefore, let the 
beginner, more especially, follow our advice in keeping few birds in proportion to his space, and we 
assure him again that such a plan will save him numerous anxieties and troubles, and of itself go 
far to ensure his possessing at least a fine and vigorous stock, which, so far as their “ condition ” 
goes, will be the envy of many a brother amateur. Especially, if he can allow his birds to fly at 
large, let him do so ; he will then have less trouble from disease, and stronger and hardier birds 
than he can ensure in any other way. 
