FANCIERS’ JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE 
621 
MOULTING OF CAGE BIRDS. 
Moulting, or changing their feathers, is a natural opera- 
tion with birds, which cannot be prevented, hut which must 
he assisted by care and attention. Cold is the greatest dan- 
ger to which they are exposed in passing through this state, 
therefore all draughts of air should be carefully guarded 
against. When the cages are open, or have much wire- 
work, they ought to be partly covered with a cloth, or 
with paper, to keep the birds warm, and the cleaning of the 
cage need not take place more than once a week, though 
they must be carefully supplied with fresh food and water 
daily. A little saffron in their water, a little nourishing 
food, and the extra warmth occasioned by the covering to 
the cage, will soon restore the birds to a plumage more 
beautiful than that they cast off. The coverings to the cage 
should not be cast off all at once, but gradually ; it should 
then be cleaned thoroughly, and the birds have their ordi- 
nary food. They should, while moulting, be put in the sun 
for an hour or two every day, if the weather is fine and 
warm. 
The first moult, which takes place in many birds when 
they are about three months old, is partial. The birds then 
throw off all their down and loose feathers, and produce 
their full plumage. The month of September is the gen- 
eral time for the moulting of birds . — American Boys' Book. 
(For Fanciers’ Journal.) 
RING DOVES. 
Ring doves in their wild state are seldom seen in this 
country. They have been partially domesticated, and can be 
procured at most any bird store at $2.50 the pair. Unlike 
pigeons, to which they are closely allied, they will not in- 
habit cots,* but return to their native haunts as soon as lib- 
erated. They will, however, breed very readily in confine- 
ment. 
Persons desiring pets of little trouble and of a quiet dis- 
position — if they do not mind the never-ceasing coo — will 
find their wants supplied in the ring dove, though they are 
not so “loving, kind, and true,” as the poets would have us 
believe, but oftentimes are quite quarrelsome. The male 
will coo very lovingly to his mate, and then, if she does not 
return his caresses, will chase her around the cage, pecking 
her most cruelly, then begin his cooing again. This is the 
usual routine of their gentle lives. The male often deserts 
his helpmate, just as she begins laying, for some gay dove 
coquette. How like man ! 
Ring doves can be kept, either in pairs or in large num- 
bers, in a cage. Two eggs are all they lay at one sitting. 
Oftentimes but one egg proves fertile. Peed them upon 
cracked corn, shorts, oats, etc. Give fresh food and fresh 
water twice each da} 7 . A box for them to lay in should be 
placed half as high as the cage, in one corner. Place straw 
handy for them to line their nest with. Do not handle the 
young much till they are full feathered. P. L. 
A fellow who was making himself ridiculously con- 
spicuous at last broke out: “Call these here prize fowls? 
Why, they ain’t nothin’ to what our folks raised. My father 
raised the biggest rooster of any man around these parts.” 
“ Don’t doubt it,” remarked a bystander, “ and the noisiest, 
too.” 
* Some writers say they will. 
AGRICULTURAL SHOWS. 
Under this heading we propose to give the dates of Agricultural Shows 
which are worthy the attention of fanciers. 
Georgia State Fair. Atlanta, October 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 
and 24. 
POULTRY SHOWS FOR 1874 & 1875. 
No shows will be entered on this list until we are officially notified by 
the Secretary. 
New England Poultry Club. Worcester, Mass., December 
1, 2, 3, and 4, 1874. G. H. Estabrook, Secretary. 
The Eastern Pennsylvania Poultry Association. Doyles- 
town, Pa., December 8, 9, 10, and 11, 1874. Theo. P. 
Harvey, Secretary, Doylestown, Pa. 
Connecticut State Poultry Society. Hartford, Conn., De- 
cember 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19,1874. J. S. Gilmore, Cor. Sec. 
Meadville Poultry and Columbarian Association. Mead- 
ville, Dec. 22, 23, 24, and 25, 1874. A. McLaren, Sec. 
Maryland State Poultry Association, Baltimore, Jan. 5, 6, 7, 
and 8, 1875. S. H. Slifer, Secretary. 
Lehigh Valley Poultry Association. Allentown, Pa., Jan- 
uary 5, 6, 7, and 8, 1875. John H. Hickman, Secretary. 
Maine Poultry Association. Portland, January 12, 13, 14, 
and 15, 1875. Fred. Fox, Secretary, Portland, Maine. 
Western Pennsylvania Poultry Society. Pittsburg, January 
13 to 20 inclusive. R. F. Shannan, Secretary. 
Massachusetts Poultry Association. Boston Music Hall, 
January 27 to February 4, 1875. Wm. B. Atkinson, Sec- 
retary. 
Western New York Poultry Society. Buffalo, New York, 
February 10 to 17, 1875. Geo. W. White, Secretary. 
Rhode Island Poultry and Columbarian Society. Provi- 
dence, February 18, 19, 20, and 21, 1875. James L. 
Bullock, Corresponding Secretary. 
Old Colony Poultry Association. Loring W. Buffert, Sec- 
retary. 
Southern Pennsylvania Poultry Association of York, Pa. 
C. H. Fry, Secretary. 
The Central Poultry Association of Pennsylvania. Thos. 
D. Boone, Secretary. 
a i» v i: it r tsKn i: x ts 
From reliable parties, on any subject interesting to Fanciers, will be 
inserted at the following rates : 
For one to two months, 20 cents per line. 
“ three to five months, 17% “ “ 
“ six to eight months, 15 “ “ 
“ nine to eleven months, 12 “ “ 
“ twelve months, 10 “ 
CHANGED AS OFTEN AS DESIRED. 
No extra charge for cuts or display. Transient advertisements, cash 
in advance; six to twelve months, quarterly in advance. 
About 12 words make a line, and 12 lines make an inch of space. 
Advertisements to be sure of insertion must reach this office by 
the Monday morning mail, previous to the day of publication, otherwise 
they are liable to be left over two weeks. 
Exc^MqES. 
4Sr* Advertisements in this Column, op Five Lines, or Forty- 
Eight Words, describing and offering for exchange only, will 
BE ALLOWED AT 25 CENTS FOR EACH AND EVERY INSERTION. 
WILL EXCHANGE.— Twenty pairs Common Pigeons for Lop- 
Eared Rabbits, Fancy Pigeons, or Fancy Fowls. What offers? 
Address W. H. AVEBER, New Bremen, Ills. 
TO EXCHANGE. — B. B. Red Strychnine, and Crossed Games, for 
Game Bantams. What offers? 
Address W . S. RIGDON, Carrollton, Catt. Co., N. Y. 
TO EXCHANGE.— Houdan Cock for Partridge Cochin Cock; 
Rouen Ducks and Berkshire Sow Pigs for Ewe Sheep of any breed, or 
for Ayrshire or Jersey Heifer Calf. My stock is first-class and only first- 
class stock is wanted in exchange. JOHN DIMON, Putnam, Conn. 
WHO HAS BROWN OK BEACIL EEGHORNS ?— WiU 
exchange choice Pigeons of the leading varieties for fowls or chicks of 
the above. Must be first-class in every respect. 
Address W. ATLEE BURPEE, 1332 Arch St., Philadelphia 
