106 
FANCIERS’ JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 

LOFT FOR PIGEONS. 
Mr. Epitor. 
R. J. H. wishes to know how many pigeons may be suc- 
cessfully kept in a loft 10x14, &c. Merely to keep pigeons 
requires but a small space, and he can keep twenty pairs, of 
different varieties, in such a place. But to satisfactorily 
breed the birds, and to enjoy their companionship, I think | 
six pairs of one, or at most two varieties, will give him the 
greatest pleasure. Six pairs of old, properly attended to, 
will produce him about eighteen pairs of young during the 
breeding season, which, added to the first stock, will crowd 
his loft. Of course he will become attached to some of the 
young, and will undoubtedly have more on hand for the 
next (second) season than he will be able to attend to in that 
sized loft. 
He had better confine himself to one variety. As men 
become experienced in the fancy, they naturally reduce 
their stock to nothing but fine birds, of few varieties. It is 
a sure sign of a good fancier to see that he has but few 
kinds, and fine birds of those kinds. 
Nearly all the fancy birds bear confinement well; in fact, 
they have been bred so long in confinement that it has 
become their normal state. They are cage birds; but the 
loft must determine the size of the birds. It would be an 
unsatisfactory place for pouters or carriers, but will do well 
for the toys or small birds, such as turbits, owls, tumblers 
(not flying), &¢. 
White owls, I suspect, will be the most gratifying variety 
for him to handle. Let him study the points for which he 
has to breed, and produce first-class show birds by the third 
season, and he will have won his spurs. Advising him to 
stick to one kind, to buy the best birds of that kind to 
begin with (no matter what they cost), to keep his loft 
clean and the number of birds few, I predict and wish him 
the success and gratification he will obtain. Wake: 

a 


(For Fanciers’ Journal.) 
THE MOCKING-BIRD. 
OF all the woodland minstrels none can successfully com- 
pare with the mocking-bird. Its harmonious and varied 
song rings sweetly in budding spring, in the groves of mid- 
summer, and in the tinted bowers of autumn. 
When the saddened heart is heavily pressed by the hand 
of affliction, or weighed down by the cares of life, then turn 
to the haunts of the mocking-bird, and listen to its thrilling 
music, its rich and melodious notes, calling from distant hills 
and adjacent tree-tops the various feathered tribes, selecting 
the choicest notes from this medley choir, imitating so com- 
pletely the wild song of the thrush, the warbling nightingale, 
the crowing cock, the cackling hen, that they listen in silence, 
spell-bound at his masterly triumphs. Then he perches him- 
self within a few feet of the planter’s mansion, and there peals 
abroad delicious sound to delight and charm the ear with 
its fitful hymn. Oftimes it is heard to chant with sweet- 
ness in the drowsy watches of the night, when all nature is 
hushed, and through the crisp air its hollow dirge meets the 
ear in rapturous sounds as he lifts his anthem seemingly to 
no one except Him who ruleth on high, 
This bird, unlike most others, courts civilization, often 
building within a few feet of the homestead, oftimes select- 
ing a solitary holly, cedar, or thorn bush; many times a 
pear, quince, or apple tree. Their nest is usually placed 
from five to eight feet from the ground. No great care is 
exercised in secluding the nest from view, nor to place it be- 

yond the reach of man. Its construction is neat and simple; 
the bottom layer consists of small dry sticks and twigs, upon 
which is placed fine hay, weeds, wood, or hair, and over this 
is interwoven, in compact form, fibrous roots of plants or 
moss. 
In this nest she deposits from four to five eggs, deep-blue 
in color, dotted here and there with numerous blotches of 
brown. The period of incubation numbers fourteen days, 
which is accomplished solely by the hen, who usually rears 
two broods during the season. 
When hatching, the mocking-bird displays great courage 
in defending its young against the attack of enemies, and 
evinces great love for its offspring; yet, should the nest be 
disturbed by man, they have been known to forsake their 
young, and leave them to perish. The black-snake is their 
inveterate enemy, and against this intruder they usually 
prove victorious in the contest, exhibiting great spirit and 
parental affection. 
This bird is peculiar to the American continent. Its geo- 
graphical range extends from Connecticut to Brazil. It 
luxuriates in the genial clime of the Southern States, and 
is abundantly found south of the Potomac, while but few 
extend their pilgrimage as far north as New York, though 
they have been known to breed in this latitude. 
They prefer the warm region bordering the Atlantic and 
Gulf of Mexico, being more numerous here than west of the 
Alleghanies. 
The mocking-bird is omniverous, feeding on berries, in- 
sects, and fruit. If desired for cage purposes, their young 
should be taken at an early age, as they are then reared 
easily; but if left until nearly fledged, and ready to leave 
the nest, they frequently sullenly submit to starvation. 
Like all soft-billed birds they thrive on mashed Irish 
potatoes, mixed with one-third its bulk of hard-boiled egg. 
Occasionally insects, or a little lean beef, should be given 
them, with a limited supply of fruit. 
The young birds, when taken from the nest, should be fed 
very often, and not much at a time, to keep them growing 
thriftly. Fresh water should be abundantly supplied for 
drinking and bathing purposes, also gravel to aid digestion. 
The great consideration in rearing them successfully is reg- 
ularity in feeding, and cleanliness. They should be fed 
by hand long after they are able to eat without assistance ; 
it renders them more gentle and confiding, and keeps them 
strong. 
The writer well recollects a favorite bird, reared by-hand, 
who used to range at will in the room with doors open, 
but when hungry would approach, with its intelligent eye 
glistening, and with mandible widely extended, to grasp a 
dainty bit from his master’s hand. It would also fly for pro- 
tection when disturbed by household pets, and warn him by 
its peculiar note of distress and alarm. One frosty morning 
Harry was discovered under his perch cold and almost life- 
less, but quickly, and with affectionate hands, he was wrapped 
in warmed bats of cotton, and placed before the fire, and fed 
with stimulating bits of bread soaked in milk and black 
pepper, when he revived, and gladdened our hearts with his 
presence and cheerful and winning ways. Although at this 
season of the year the voice of the mocking-bird was seldom 
heard, Harry, after fully recovering from his chill, made 
us thrice happy by his melodious notes. An opportunity 
offered to send him asa present to a Northern friend. Upon 
his arrival he seemed quite at home, and was allowed the 
same freedom as at his Southern home. He roamed at will 
