OF THE DOMESTIC PIGEON. 237 



the management of a dovecote. Before breeding- 

 time the holes ought to be carefully examined and 

 cleaned ; for if any of the young die in the holes in 

 summer, maggots are soon bred in them ; they become 

 putrid and emit a disagreeable and unwholesome stench, 

 very injurious to the inhabitants of the dovecote. 

 Pigeons are tenacious of their nests, as appears from 

 the conduct of the wood-pigeon, which will breed for 

 years in the same tree, and the mother forsakes her 

 nest with regret ; but, unable to endure the filth and 

 stench of her dead offspring, she is obliged to quit the 

 eggs she has laid for a second brood, and the prime of 

 the season is lost. Every summer, immediately after 

 the first flight, the nest should be all cleaned out, and 

 the dung totally taken away, as it breeds filth. But 

 remember to do this business early in the morning. 

 The remaining eggs ought likewise to be destroyed, 

 and a perfectly clean habitation made for the harvest- 

 flight. 



" It is advised * never to go into a dovecote later 

 than mid-day, but as early in a morning as convenient. 

 Whatever repairs are necessary, either to the building 

 or to the nests, should be done before noon ; for if you 

 disturb the pigeons in the afternoon, they will not rest 

 contentedly the whole night; and the greatest part, 



