130 
The Illustrated Book of Pigeons . 
In all such or other cases, where the nostrils appear filled with discharge, especially if of a 
thick gelatinous character, the head must be bathed every night with water as hot as can be borne, 
after which both nostrils should be tightly squeezed between the finger and thumb till the bird 
sneezes, when the matter will be ejected and breathing restored. It is well in such cases to dress 
the head with butter, which will tend to prevent the discharge from becoming hard. Some relief 
from these discharges may often be obtained by giving a pill in which some cayenne pepper and 
sulphur have been mixed. 
The liability of young Pouters to weakness of the joints we have already spoken of. We know 
of but one remedy for this, but it is in many cases effectual. That is to wrap round the limb a 
woollen rag soaked in good whiskey (we think the Scotch best, of course). The rag should be 
soaked afresh at least once a day for a week, after about which time it should be removed. The 
best way to put the rag on is to roll it round three times and then sew it, which keeps it in place 
much better than if tied. 
Pouters sometimes get their crops over-gorged with water, if deprived of it for any time. This 
is easily remedied by putting the finger into the beak to keep it open, and then holding the bird 
upside down, when the water will drain out. Sometimes a bird will get its crop too full of air, so 
as to be beyond its control, and cause evident discomfort. In that case also, opening of the beak 
and a gentle squeeze of the crop will give instant relief. Often, again, a bird will seem “sick,” as 
it is termed, leaving little in the crop. The simple remedy for this is to nearly fill the crop with 
warm water, kneading it about gently, so as thoroughly to wash and cleanse it, and then drain it 
out again as just directed. 
We strongly advise Pouters to be separated after the breeding season. One of the best 
breeders we know does not do so, but he and others would find far fewer barren hens if they did. 
We know by experience that leaving them together, especially if there are any young cocks in the 
loft, often is the cause of hens becoming weak or “ down behind ; ” and where this is not the case, 
is the reason of their laying much later in the season. 
We have found it very beneficial with all pigeons, but Pouters especially, to hang up a cabbage 
or lettuce every week, from March to December, for them to peck at. It should be hung at such a 
height from the ground as just to allow them to reach it. They will only eat what is good for 
them, and it is the best prevention of disease generally we have ever known. 
Many Pouters are more or less extensively trimmed up before exhibition ; and without in the 
least defending such practices, which no doubt verge closely on fraud, it is only right to point out 
what is commonly done, if only that exhibitors who refuse to practise such improvements may be 
able to detect birds which have been tampered with. We must, however, state that many of the 
judges arc really to blame for this state of things. We have frequently seen really grand birds 
shown in a perfectly honest and genuine state (beginners often do this), and passed over without 
honour for an almost solitary foul feather, while the prize has been bestowed upon a bird far inferior 
in every essential point, merely because it was free from foul feathers — a freedom, be it remarked, 
often obtained in that very bird by trimming. In this way we have known many a man forced 
into trimming, who really did his best to avoid it ; and such results would not occur if judges were 
more guided by the really good points, instead of pursuing the vicious plan adopted by some of 
them, of merely looking for faults on whose account they may pass over the birds. Such can 
always be found ; and the natural result of such judging is that by degrees exhibitors — the most 
unscrupulous beginning and the rest gradually following — do their best to remove faults before 
showing their birds. This would be avoided were judges to bear in mind Mr. Ure’s excellent 
remark that “ colour and marking do not make the Pouter; they simply finish it.” 
