CHAP, ii.] MANAGEMENT OF PIGEONS. 35 



them. No nest or pei-manent habitation is required for 

 them after they are once brought into the world; merely 

 a temporary shelter by day, and a secure and convenient 

 lodging by night, which, however, may be shifted con- 

 tinually from place to place with advantage rather than 

 injury to the restless little occupants. This is the case 

 with all the Water-fowl which we keep domesticated, as 

 well as with the gallinaceous birds. The Duck and the 

 Goose, as well as the Hen and the Turkey, lead out 

 their young by day to their proper food, any deficiency 

 of which, arising from their not being in a state of na- 

 ture, is supplied by man ; and when rest and warmth 

 are required by the tender brood, the mother herself 

 furnishes all that is needed under the shelter of her 

 wings. Her own personal attentions supply from time 

 to time whatever nest and covering is required; our 

 care is to exercise a general superintendence, and pro- 

 vide them liberally with the necessary articles of diet. 

 But with Pigeons the reverse of all this obtains. If 

 you cater for them plentifully, well and good ; they will 

 partake of the fare, and give themselves no more 

 trouble. If you stint them, never mind ; they will go 

 further a-field, and forage for themselves, not being 

 over-scrupulous as to the proprietorship of the corn 

 they may eat, or delicate about committing a trespass. 

 But if your allowance is quite too pinching, and the 

 neighbours wage a determined war against all pilferers, 

 then the Pigeons will pluck up their resolution, and 

 emigrate to some new home, where better treatment 

 awaits them : for a home they must have. With that 

 tolerably adjusted, and a decent allowance of food from 

 you, they will, by their own industry, with little further 

 interference, increase so rapidly, and produce so large a 



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