CHAP. i.J PATRONIZED BY COMMERCE. 33 



That I have ta'en away another's pigeons 



It is most true ; true they do flock to me ; 



The very head and front of my oifending, 



Hath this extent, no more. Yet, by your leave, 



I will a round unvarnished tale deliver 



Of my whole management ; what drugs, what charms, 



What conjuration, and what mighty magick 



(For such proceeding I am charged withal), 



I won the pigeons with 



This is the only witchcraft I have used, 

 Here come the pigeons, let them witness it." 



But these passages remind us that we are somewhat 

 -anticipating what we have to say respecting the habits 

 and disposition of the true Dove-house Pigeon, as differ- 

 ing from the other sorts kept in a domestic state. 

 From the ancients the pursuit of Pigeon-fancying seems 

 to have descended to the Dutch, as it is likely that it 

 would to such a wealthy, commercial, and observant 

 people. In old times, we are told, at least every fourth 

 Dutchman was a Pigeon-fancier. They were also dili- 

 gent hunters out, and importers of new kinds ; so that 

 what Pliny said of the Romans may be affirmed of the 

 Dutch, i. e., that they were mad after Pigeons. Venice 

 also, another mercantile state, had opportunities of ob- 

 taining new kinds, which were zealously cultivated. 

 But this chapter has already exceeded its due limits : 

 and the reader shall at once be introduced to the 

 habits of increase, and general modes of managing 

 these birds. 





