* 



176 Dove-House Laws. 



10s. value of tlie agricultural produce of 

 tlie country consumed in this manner. To 

 which is to be added, the irreparable injury 

 committed by pigeons in seed time, by 

 picking up every grain of seed, wherever 

 they alight, and the corn trod under and 

 beaten out by their wings before harvest, 

 not to forget the real damage they do to 

 buildings by pecking the mortar from be- 

 tween the bricks, a mischief wliich may 

 however always be obviated by the constant 

 allowance of a salt-cat, which will also take 

 their attention from the garden to which 

 they may be otherwise destructive. 



On a general view of the subject, it 

 appears that tlie dove-house system has 

 ever been one of extreme injustice, as well 

 as impolicy, in point of national advantage, 

 for in the first respect, it must unavoidably 

 happen that great flocks must be main- 

 tained at the expence of persons having no 

 property in them. But as certainly, neither 

 the public nor individuals will consent to be 

 deprived of the enjoyment of this ancient 

 luxury, the fairest mode appears to be. 



