250 ON THE REARING AND MANAGEMENT 



conical spiracles through which the pigeons descend. 

 Their interior resembles a honeycomb, forming nu- 

 merous holes for nests; and the outsides are painted 

 and ornamented. The dung is applied almost entirely 

 to the rearing of melons, a fruit indispensable to the 

 natives of warm countries during the great heats of 

 summer, and also the most rapidly raised in seasons of 

 scarcity ; and hence the reason, that during the famine 

 of Samaria, a cab of dove's dung was sold for five 

 pieces of silver, 2 Kings vi. 25." Morier's Second 

 Journey, &c., 141. 



" Pigeons in new lodgings are apt sometimes to 

 forsake their habitations. Many nostrums have been 

 recommended to prevent them from doing so; but if 

 squabs be selected, cleanliness and security attended 



