1 48 BISET OR WILD ROCK-PIGEON. 



or, as it is frequently called, the dove-cot, buildings 

 erected expressly for the purpose of containing colo- 

 nies of these birds. In this state, where they enjoy 

 a perfect freedom of action, and are nearly depend- 

 ant upon their own exertions for support, they can 

 scarcely be called reclaimed, much less domesticated. 

 Man, indeed, has only taken advantage of certain 

 habits natural to the species, and by the substitution 

 of an artificial for a real cavern, to which the pigeon- 

 house may be compared, has, without violating or at 

 least greatly infringing upon its natural condition, 

 brought it into a kind of voluntary subjection, and 

 rendered it subservient to his benefit and use. Vast 

 numbers of young pigeons in various parts of the 

 world are by this system annually produced and 

 rendered available as a wholesome and nutritious 

 food, as well as a source of considerable profit to the 

 proprietors of these edifices. 



Various practical treatises upon the management 

 of the dove-cot, and other details connected with 

 it, are already before the public, and to them we 

 must refer our readers for further information, as the 

 limited nature of the present work will not admit of 

 such copious extracts as would be necessary to em- 

 brace all the respective details. It may not, how- 

 ever, be out of place to advert to a few of the prin- 

 cipal objects to be considered, by those who contem- 

 plate the erection of a pigeon-house ; and first in re- 

 gard to the form of the building. The most ap- 

 proved is that of a circular tower, as it affords ad- 



