220 PIGEONS. 



some of them perfect cockneys in every other kind of 

 shooting. It must, however, be admitted, that there 

 is more difficulty in shooting pigeons at a regular 

 match than many bystanders are aware of. The man 

 who has to exhibit before hundreds of people, and is, 

 perhaps, betting hundreds of pounds, feels in general a 

 very different sensation from the one who stands merely 

 as a spectator, perfectly composed ; and while in this 

 state, is confident of being able to beat those who are 

 engaged in the match, although they may be shooting 

 infinitely better than he perhaps could do if placed in 

 their situation. In this, as in every thing else, there- 

 fore, it is far, very far, easier to be a fault-finder than 

 a performer ; because most things fall so decidedly 

 short of perfection, that any simpleton may set up for 

 the one, while, on the contrary, a man must have ac- 

 quired some little knowledge, however superficial, be- 

 fore he can attempt the other. 



Of wild pigeons, or (more properly speaking) doves, 

 there are three kinds : the 



STOCK, or WILD PIGEON. Columba cenas Le biset. 



RING, CUSHAT, or QUEEST. Columba palumbus Le pigeon 

 ramier. 



TURTLE. Columba turturLe tourterelle. 



The second of these, the most common, is almost 

 universally known by the name of woodpigeon ; and, if 

 not too much fed on turnips, arid kept till tender, is de- 

 servedly esteemed an excellent bird. The turtle-dove, 

 however, is the best of the three ; but being only a 

 summer visiter, it generally escapes the notice of the 

 shooter ; except in the early part of September, when 



