52 
The Illustrated Book of Pigeons. 
as a Carrier- loft. This arises from the facts that the variety is more quarrelsome and spiteful than 
all others ; that its sight is much obstructed, so that the weaker specimens are often attacked before 
they know their danger ; and, finally, that the eye-wattle, when pecked or injured in such quarrels, is 
peculiarly liable to become inflamed and develop canker. How many valuable pigeons have been 
lost in this way it is hard to estimate, but very many to our personal knowledge. It is also worthy 
of note that Carriers being more liable to running or cold in the eye, which may at any time assume 
a virulent form (either canker or otherwise), the more apart the birds can be kept the better. 
Isolation, then, is what is required, with ample space, yet freedom from draught. And, first 
of all, the perches should be especially adapted for them, Fig. 25 showing the construction we have 
found to suit them best of all we have tried. It is in the form of a frame, made of boards five 
inches wide, and dividing the whole range into compartments, each of which should measure nine 
inches wide and twelve inches high. Along each range is fixed, on both sides, slips or narrow 
boards inclined at a bevel, as in the perches already described, and for the same purposes. Each 
of these compartments forms the perch for a single bird; and it is strange to sec how immediately 
and naturally they take to these conveniences as soon as provided for them. Every bird almost 
at once learns to know his own perch, and the owner can catch him at night in a moment, knowing 
exactly where to put his hand upon him. A bird will defend his place against all intruders, and 
should another pigeon in his absence take possession, there is an immediate quarrel over it ; and 
here the benefit is found, for there being only room for one the dispute is soon settled, and the 
parties are unable to do each other any serious injury. The partitions also prevent any domineering 
pigeon from looking along the whole row, and also from sweeping along it, as he otherwise would, 
to clear it of all other occupants. All continuous fighting, in fact, is in this way entirely prevented, 
so far as the perches arc concerned. A further advantage is that no bird can get its plumage the 
least soiled if perched in this manner, which we can most strongly recommend on all accounts as 
saving an incalculable amount of trouble and loss in breeding and keeping Carriers. 
