314 FARMING FOR LjSDIES. [chap. xv. 



may be found somewhat heating if often used, 

 we yet insist that it is anything but " un- 

 wholesome," if indeed it be not, to many 

 stomachs, more healthfully nutritive, and far 

 preferable to those young squabs which we so 

 frequently see upon the table; fattened, by 

 the dealers, with peas, blown by the mouth 

 through a pipe into their bills. A squeaker 

 of three months old may be eatable, but much 

 better at four, and not in prime order until 

 two or three months older. 



The meat of dark-fleshed birds, if also of 

 dark plumage, is browner than that of those 

 which are white, and the latter are preferred 

 by many persons, as being more delicate ; but 

 those who appreciate the savour of game will 

 ever esteem the former to be superior; and 

 that of the wood-pigeon is far preferable to 

 any of the tame species. 



In regard to food, the pigeon is so thoroughly 

 granivorous, as to feed entirely upon grain, 

 when it can be got, or on the seeds of any 

 kind of grass or weeds which it can pick up — 

 though tares, hemp, rape, and canary, or those 

 of any common spice, are its favourites ; but 

 no sort of corn comes amiss, and when fed at 



