CHAP. ii.J FOOD AND LUXUE1ES. 41 



about, both which are made for this purpose, and the 

 size must be in proportion to the Pigeons you breed : 

 for instance, a pan, fit for a Tumbler, or other small 

 Pigeon, should be about three inches high, and eight 

 inches over at the top, and sloping to the bottom like 

 a wash-hand bason, and that in proportion for other 

 larger Pigeons, remembering to put a brick close to the 

 pan, that they may with greater safety get upon their 

 eggs ; and by the means of this pan, the eggs are not 

 only prevented from rolling out of the nest, but your 

 young Pigeons from being handled when you choose to 

 look at them, which often puts them into a scouring. 

 Some prefer the basket, as judging it the warmest, and 

 not so liable to crack the egg when first laid; others the 

 pan, as not so apt to harbour vermin, and being easier 

 cleaned ; and say that the foregoing inconveniences are 

 easily remedied by putting in a sufficient quantity of 

 clean straw, rubbed short and soft, or frail; the frail is 

 most valued, because it lays hollow, and lasts a great 

 while, the dung shaking off it as occasion requires."* 



Although in the country, arid such situations where 

 the Pigeons may safely be allowed almost entire liberty, 

 it is not necessary to furnish a loft with hoppers or 

 meat boxes (of which there are several patterns to be 

 had) ; still it may be as well to feed them occasionally, 

 i. e., four or five times a week, in their chamber, even 

 though it may be wished to see them take their food on 

 the ground with the other poultry as a general rule. 

 For this purpose it will be sufficient to throw down a 

 moderate supply of peas or barley on their floor, which 

 we suppose to be swept and fresh gravelled with some 



* Treatise on Domestic Pigeons (Lond. 1765), pp. 4-6. 



