The Dove Cote. . 185 



confining them closely, until they have 

 young to attach them to the place, will be 

 a security ; and even afterwards, they have 

 Keen known to take flight with the first use 

 of their wings, and leave their nests. I 

 have had several examples of this. Thence 

 it is always preferable to purchase squeak- 

 ers, or such as have not yet flown : these 

 being confined a short time, well fedj and 

 accustomed gradually to the surrounding 

 scenery, before they have acquired suffici- 

 ent strength of wing wherewith to lose them- 

 selves, will become perfectly domesticated. 

 The DOVE-COT E or pigeon-loft, as to its 

 situation or extent, will necessarily depend 

 on convenience, one general rule, how- 

 ever, must be invariably observed, — that 

 every pair of pigeons have two holes, or 

 rooms, to nest in. ^Mthout this indispensa- 

 ble convenience, there will be no security, 

 but the prospect of constant confusion, 

 breaking of eggs, and destruction of the 

 young. Pigeons do well near dwellings, 

 stables, bake-houses, brew-houses, or such 



