HCM100@psuvm.psu.edu (Hans C. Masing) (02/01/91)
I wanted to thank everyone who helped with advice on nesting my doves that I use in my magic act. No, I'm not using them right now, so they (or more specifically, SHE) will have a break for a few weeks (maybe months, depending on bookings!!) Anyway, she sat on the eggs, but when they jumped up and down from the perch they broke them (4 - is this normal for doves?). Maybe next time things will go better. :-) They're mating again and waking me up at 6:00 with their cooing, but I love them too much to put them in the foyer. Thanks again! Hans PS- I wanted to say a quicky about doves and magicians. If you know of any magicians who use doves in their act, PLEASE encourage them to use non-dangerous techniques with the birds. Some magicians use (and here comes a revered secret) something called an Invisible Harness. It's made of white elastic and has a loop of thread that comes out of the breast. The dove is kept in a small bag and when it is made to appear out of thin air, it is forcibly pulled from the bag and onto the hand of the magician. The birds usually die after about 1-2 years from this rough treatment. Friends of mine in the trade who use the same techniques as I have had doves for 10-13 years. We use a non-harness technique where the dove is wrapped loosly in a soft silk cloth and kept concealed until procurement is desired. If you see a magician doing bare-hand productions, talk to him after the show about humane treatment of the animals. If you see them pull birds only out of large cloths or pans or handkerchiefs, then they are USUALLY using humane techniques and thank them for it. Just a request from an animal lover. My birds love to sit on my shoulders and poop in my hair, so I know that they aren't being treated in a disagreeable manner! Thanks... (And don't tell anyone the secret!!) *------------------------------------* | INTERNET: HCM100 @ PSUVM.PSU.EDU *----------------------------------* | BITNET: HCM100 @ PSUVM | "In all things it is a good idea | *-----------------------------------| to hang a question mark now and | | Hans Christopher Masing | then on the things we have taken | | 3732 Beech Avenue | for granted." -Bertrand Russel | | Erie, Pennsylvania 16508 *----------------------------------* *----------------------------------*