34 
The Illustrated Book of Plgeohs. 
weakly birds to step upon when leaving the water, as without this aid seme would be unable 
to do so. We have known more than one beautiful Short-faced Tumbler drowned for want 
of this precaution. 
Some recommend that the bath be only allowed two or three times a week ; but we 
unhesitatingly say that it should be constantly afforded the pigeons; the water, unless always 
running, which is best of all, being frequently renewed. This is the more necessary, as the birds 
will often drink out of it as well as bathe in it. And we would here remark that the bath, or the 
use made of it, is the very best general indicator as to the health of the pigeons. As soon as any 
bird leaves off bathing, it is a bad sign ; and though nothing else should be observable, that bird 
should be very carefully looked after, in order to discover at the earliest possible moment what 
is wrong. And, on the contrary, as soon as you see a bird that has been unwell go into its bath 
again, you may make pretty sure it is all right, and that it has “ turned the corner” towards 
a good recovery. We have noticed this so often, that we give it as a sign very nearly if not 
quite infallible. 
Fancy pigeons generally show an inclination to mate together some time in the month of 
February ; but much depends upon the temperature, as in very severe weather they will sometimes 
show no signs of doing so until March, whilst if it be mild some birds, if allowed, would go to nest 
in January. This, however, the owner should in all cases prevent, by keeping the sexes separate, 
for several reasons. In the first place, though it is possible the young ones may be reared, and 
if the weather keeps mild throughout they will in that case make wonderfully strong early birds, 
still the chances are many against it. But still more, though the young be reared, the result is 
likely to be the ruin of the constitution of the hen ; for if she is what is called a free breeder, or 
lays her eggs fast, before the season is over she becomes so weak as in many cases to become 
ruptured, and in other cases barren, when she is of course valueless. The cause of this is not only 
the excessive laying — indeed a young and rank hen will often lay, like a fowl, whether she be 
mated or not — but the cock-bird continually driving her to nest and teasing her while in her weak 
state, which causes her weakness of course to increase, until the ovary gives way, and she becomes 
what is called “down behind.” A most singular fact is, that we have often noticed the mate of 
such a hen to become similarly affected, in which case he is commonly said to be “ gizzard- 
fallen but having dissected many birds in such a condition, we can state positively that the 
gizzard has nothing to do with it, but that the part affected is a portion of the intestines. We 
never knew a cock breed in such a condition ; and though we have occasionally known a hen 
do so, the progeny of such birds could not be expected to have any but a weakly constitution. 
In any case, it is irfuch better to get even only three or four pairs of eggs in a season, hatched 
at a time when they arc likely to become strong and healthy birds, and preserve the constitution 
of the parents also for next season. We have known some persons, by what is called “pumping” 
a hen, or breeding from her as long as possible, obtain eight or nine pair of eggs from her in one 
season ; but we have seldom known more than half reared, and often some of these would have 
crooked breast-bones, which is a great fault as well as a sign of weakness. And as to the hen 
herself, she is, as already stated, if not entirely ruined, seriously debilitated for life, so that none 
of her after progeny will be as vigorous as they ought to be. 
It is a pretty sight to see Pigeons at liberty when “courting,” and few have described it so 
pleasantly as Mr. Dixon. “ They begin,” he says, “to go together in pairs, except while associated 
with the flock at feeding-times ; and when they are resting on the roofs, or basking in the sun, they 
retire apart to short distances for the purposes of courtship, and pay each other little kind atten- 
tions, such as nestling close, and mutually tickling the heads one of another. At last comes what 
