OF THE DOMESTIC PIGEON. 233 



1842, that pigeons will rather fly to a great distance 

 for corn, than content themselves with other food ; and 

 that by means of various expedients, they contrive to 

 acquire these viands fully three quarters in each year, 

 the remainder of the twelve months being taken up in 

 the search for the seeds of weeds and bentings. 



The gross amount of this consumption of corn has 

 been computed at 157,500,000 pints, 4,921,875 Win- 

 chester bushels, the value of which may be estimated 

 at 1,476,562, 10s. 



To this fearful estimate is added the loss to the 

 country by their picking up grains sown in spring and 

 autumn, and which are, consequently, prevented from 

 growing up for the food of man. However, as far as 

 our own experience and observation enable us to judge, 

 we are inclined very much to doubt the correctness of 

 these calculations ; for, with respect to the consumption 

 of seed sown, it is only that which rests on the surface 

 which is taken ; and if pigeons have any thing like 

 a proper allowance of food served to them by their 

 keepers, or a fair chance of the stable or straw-yard, 

 they do not incline to wander much from home. 



In the choice of situation for the dovecote, care 

 should be taken to select one with a southern exposure, 

 for the bird delights in warmth, so that the more the 



