THE DOVECOT PIGEON. 247 



land. Moreover, the pigeons render him an essen- 

 tial service, by consuming millions of seeds which 

 fall in the autumn, and which, if allowed to remain 

 on the ground, would rise up the following year, in 

 all the rank exuberance of weed, and choke the 

 wholesome plant. 



A dovecot ought to be well lighted ; and it should 

 be white-washed once every year. The tillage 

 which it produces may be removed early in No- 

 vember, and again at the end of February. The 

 young of the dovecot pigeon, like all others of the 

 columbine order, are reared in a nest lined by their 

 own dung ; which, if left in the hole after the birds 

 are gone, is apt to harbour vermin. Wherefore, 

 cleanliness dictates its early removal. 



No dovecot can possibly thrive if rats have found 

 an entrance into it These cruel and audacious 

 plunderers will destroy every young pigeon within 

 their reach. Oust them you must, and preclude 

 their return, be the cost ever so great ; otherwise, 

 disappointment will most assuredly be your lot. 



The barn-owl and the starling are harmless un- 

 offending visitors to the dovecot : they repair to it 

 merely for shelter, or for a breeding-place ; so that 

 I always like to see them enter mine. It is a lofty 

 and a spacious building ; and last season it fur- 

 nished seventy-three dozens of young pigeons. The 

 walls were made with flues, by the judicious use of 

 which we had a very early supply for the table ; 

 but, through some neglect on the part of the 

 attendant, a fire took place, which threatened 

 destruction to the surrounding buildings. In con- 

 R 4- 



