Overcrowded Pigeons
The owner of some extensive farms in Berkshire asked me the other day whether there was any danger of his sheep being affected by the presence of hordes of immigrant pigeons. These birds, always numerous, are more than usually numerous this winter in most counties; and these farms on the edge of the Downs seem particularly popular (as they are with mixed flocks of finches). The pigeons, perhaps because of their excessive numbers, are suffering from a throat malady called for want of a better term diphtheria. Some twenty years ago a huge proportion of the pigeons suffered from this malady, visible as a white growth round the throat, but I never heard that it was transferable. Pigeons are susceptible, and one hopes that another disease very prevalent among London pigeons is also uncommunicable. In general it is remarkable how healthy birds are. The overcrowding by starlings—especially this year —is such that they will kill the trees that form a favourite roost. The place becomes foul without having any evil influence whatever on the health of the flock. Rooks and sparrows may crowd as thickly without apparent ill result. Among the few exceptions are game birds : pheasants, part- ridges and grouse; and the desire to rear more than the ground will carry is usually, though not always, the cause.
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