158 SPLENDID CALCULATIONS PURCHASE. 



weight by subsequent doctors. But I suppose we must 

 not question the positive testimony of Stillingneet, 

 who asserts that fourteen thousand seven hundred and 

 sixty pigeons were produced from one single pair, in 

 the course of four years. To class things of a similar 

 bearing together, it has been calculated, but I know 

 not by whom, or on what practical ground, that a 

 single pair of RABBITS may, in the same portion of 

 time, namely, four years, produce one million two 

 hundred and seventy four thousand eight hundred and 

 forty of their kind ! 



The first step towards PIGEON KEEPING, is, un- 

 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 seve- 

 ral examples of this. Thence it is always preferable 

 to purchase SQUEAKERS, or such as have not yet 

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



