CHAJMi.) VAKRO'S DOVECOTE. 51 



noxious creature, be able to enter. Within, the walls 

 and roof are plastered over with the thinnest possible 

 coat of mortar, and without also, around the shutters, 

 lest any mouse or lizard should be able to creep up to 

 the lockers; for no creature is more timid than a 

 Pigeon. Round lockers for each pair are placed close 

 in ranks. There may be as many rows as possible 

 from the ground up to the roof. Each locker should 

 have a separate opening for entrance and exit : within 

 three palms (of capacity) each way. Under each row 

 of lockers, shelves, two palms broad, to be used as a 

 vestibule, and for them to walk out upon. A stream of 

 water should run in, where they may drink and bathe, 

 for these birds are very cleanly. Therefore the keeper 

 ought to brush out the Pigeon-house every month ; for 

 what denies that place is most suitable for agriculture, 

 so that many authors have described this manure as 

 excellent. If a Pigeon ails anything, it should be 

 cured ; if one dies, it should be removed ; if any squabs 

 are fit for sale, they can be brought out. Also, if any 

 are about to lay, they should be removed to a separate 

 place parted off by a net, whence the breeding birds 

 can fly abroad, which they do on two accounts : first, 

 that if they lose their appetite, or grow feeble from 

 confinement, they may be refreshed by the open air 

 when they go into the fields ; and, secondly, because of 

 the tie that binds them to their home ; for they will 

 return on account of the young which they have left, 

 unless they happen to be intercepted and destroyed by 

 a Crow or a Hawk. 



" Their food is placed around the wall in troughs, 

 which are supplied from without by means of tubes. 

 They delight in millet, wheat, barley, peas, haricot- 



