THE PIGEONS. 183 



are said sometimes to be kept for their song. They 

 will live well in confinement, but, of course, need soft food. 

 Boiled rice or other grain, or boiled vegetables cut up, 

 will suit them very well, with any small fruits that can 

 be got ; with an occasional feed of plantain worked up 

 with satoo into a crumbly paste. Fresh-caught birds 

 should have plantains cut up into bits ; but as soon as 

 possible the plantain should be mixed with rice or satoo, 

 since it is too messy and sticky if given alone. Fed in this 

 way all these green Fruit-Pigeons are easy to keep ; and 

 as they are very rare in Europe, are always worth taking 

 home. 



Hurrials are themselves very good to eat ; but when 

 one comes to the table qualities of birds, we approach 

 the domain of the sportsman ; and as game-birds are 

 barred in this little work, the Hurrial, which appeals both 

 to the shikari and the aviarist, is a fit bird with which 

 to close the series. 



