CHAP. XV.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 321 



They are, indeed, sometimes afflicted with 

 a disease somewhat similar to that by which 

 fowls are attacked by over-gorging their craw. 

 It is occasioned by the pigeons losing their 

 chicks when very young, and not being able 

 to get rid of the substance which they have 

 collected in the crop for their subsistence; 

 but, if left alone, time will cure it. Some 

 writers, indeed, absurdly recommend that in 

 such case, the old bird should be relieved 

 by being furnished with other young ones ; 

 as if those who were thus deprived of their 

 chicks would not be equally inconvenienced. 



There is, in fine, nothing either in point 

 of trouble or expense to prevent a few pi- 

 geons being kept by any one who has the 

 least out-door convenience : they are, to be 

 sure, not very profitable, but neither are 

 they costly ; and whether broiled, stewed, or 

 roasted, and either hot or cold, when made 

 into a pie, they form very nice entremets. 



