Marking the Birds. 
281 
not shift much during the journey, and quickly dries up the droppings ; the birds can also find the 
corn thrown to them on a long journey better than with straw, long or short ; sawdust is too small 
and light. When prepared for a journey the straps are buckled up tightly, and a string or tape 
passed through each loose end and the main strap, and then tied in a knot ; the centre of the 
falling front is also tied to the top. Each of these strings, the front one, and that on each strap, 
is then passed through a leaden seal, which is impressed with the name of the Society by means of a 
pair of pincers carrying dies. The strings arc first passed through the leaden blanks, then tied 
again, and sealed tightly with the pincers, technically called in Belgium pince a plombs. The birds 
are then passed into the pannier through the small opening, the lid of which is afterwards sealed 
in the same way. The panniers of the Brighton and County of Sussex Society open at the top, 
which has a margin of closely woven wicker work round the edge, which strengthens the top, 
and may keep the birds quieter when in transit. In providing panniers it may be taken that 
each bird should be allowed twenty-seven square inches superficial. This will fill the basket, and 
yet give the birds room enough. In Belgium the government, in whose hands the railways are, 
make special arrangements for carrying the birds sent to the different stations in France for 
training, and an enormous number of birds are thus sent weekly. On the 16th May, 1874, no less 
than forty-six panniers passed through Brussels on their way to their training stages, which would 
represent about 30,000 sent on that day alone. On the 24th of the same month 30,000 were sent, 
and on the 31st 40,000. Again, on the 23rd of May, 1875, the province of Liege sent 46,000 birds 
for training by two special trains, each being composed of twenty-three vans. In many instances 
an attendant or convoy eur accompanies them, but that course is not general at present. It has 
been suggested that the various Societies should have agents at the towns from which the birds 
are trained, and that they should throw any birds sent to them. 
“ It is well to mark all birds used for training as soon as the feathers are long enough to 
carry the brands, which will be when they are six or seven weeks old. Various methods are 
adopted for the printing of the name and address of the owner. It may be a stereotype, printing 
the name and address in indorsing ink or printers’ ink, or a block printing a black ground, and 
leaving the letters bare without ink. The ordinary type used for printing also answers very well 
indeed, if the letters have a broad surface, so that they can give a nice clear and wide impression ; 
a stencil plate gives a clear mark, but it is rather troublesome to use, as one must have both 
hands engaged when marking with it. The ink is taken up from an ordinary cloth pad, which is kept 
moist therewith. If one pad only be used, put a little ink under the top layer of cloth, and stamp 
the pad with the type a few times to distribute the ink equally over the same. If two pads are 
used, put the ink on one and rub the two together. India-rubber brands are also in use, and if 
kept clean, are well adapted for the purpose. A set of numerals, from o to 9, should also be 
obtained, and the birds, if many are kept, stamped with numbers which are entered in a book, so that 
they may be traced and recognised at any time in one’s books, and also identified in case they are 
found by strangers, by brand and number also. I find that it is most useful to number every bird 
as soon as it can fly, as being much more easily remembered and readily referred to than if named, 
though sometimes one is apt to name a special favourite also. The marks are placed on the flight 
feathers of the wings or on the tail, more usually the former. It is better to have an assistant to 
hold the bird and extend the wing, so that the feathers be flat on the corner of a table or on a 
small box or block, while the brands and numbers are put on by oneself, placing a thick pad of 
india-rubber or blotting paper beneath the feathers operated upon ; or, in case no aid is at 
hand, a wooden block may be used, with two stout wires knocked into it perpendicularly, each 
about one inch long and about one and a half from each other. Then place the wing on the 
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