PURCHASE THE DOVE-COTE. 143 



doubtedly, to provide a commodious place for their 

 reception, of which I shall afterwards speak ; the 

 next, to provide the pigeons themselves. These 

 will be had in pairs, but if not actually MATCHED, 

 pains must be afterwards taken, to that end, that no 

 time be lost ; indeed, they may be matched accord- 

 ing to the fancy of the keepers, for the purpose of 

 varying the colours, or with any other view. But 

 it is necessary to give a caution on the subject of 

 OLD PIGEONS, of which a bargain may offer, since 

 the difficulty of retaining them is so great, indeed 

 insuperable, without the strictest vigilance. Nothing 

 short of cutting their wings, and confining them 

 closely until they have young to attach them to the 

 place, will be a security ; and even afterwards, they 

 have been known to take flight with the first use of 

 their wings, and leave their nests. I have had se- 

 veral examples of this. Thence it is always prefer- 

 able to purchase SQUEAKERS, or such as have not 

 yet flown : these, being confined, in a short time, well 

 fed, and accustomed gradually to the surrounding 

 scenery, before they have acquired sufficient strength 

 of wing wherewith to lose themselves, will become 

 perfectly domesticated. 



The DOVE-COTE, or pigeon-loft, as to its situation 

 or extent, will necessarily depend on convenience, 

 one GENERAL RULE, however, must be invariably 

 observed, that every pair of pigeons have two 

 holes, or rooms, to nest in. Without this indispen- 

 sable convenience there will be no security, but the 

 prospect of constant confusion, breaking of eggs, 

 and destruction of the young. Pigeons do well near 



