Winged Vermin The Wood Pigeon. 491 



almost as easy as missing them at other times. In dreary 

 winter time the pigeon has to content itself with what it 

 can obtain, but we have rarely killed a thin one even in 

 the severest weather. Turnip tops seem to be its most 

 ready means of subsistence. 



Apart from its mischievous nature, the ringdove, cushat, 

 cushat-doo, queest, or other rustic appellation it may have, 

 is a welcome ornament of the country side, being an 

 interesting bird, and one which deserves protection from 

 extermination, although in unchecked numbers it is not to 

 be desired. Its habits we need not describe, they are 

 well enough known ; but as to the mode of capture some 

 particulars are necessary. We would first signify, however, 

 that wholesale slaughter by means of poisoned grain and 

 the like has none of our sympathy, being both unnecessary 

 and reprehensible. If wood pigeons must be killed, at least 

 give them a chance, and the means suggested will do so. 



To trap these birds the same rules hold good as to gins, 

 &c., as were detailed in respect of crows and magpies, 

 but the " tilling " is different. When one, day after day, 

 visits a field and notices on each occasion a number of 

 wood pigeons rise from the near neighbourhood of a certain 

 spot, one may rest assured that on approaching it an almost 

 entire clearing of the corn will be discovered within limits 

 of circular extent. A few ordinary-sized rabbit gins should 

 be carefully distributed and set about this clearing, neatly 

 covered, and some few grains of corn, large white oats for 

 preference, be scattered over each. These settings will 

 assuredly result in the capture of one or more of the 

 feathered marauders, which will be amply sufficient to scare 



