52 STOCKING THE LOFT. [CHAP. n. 



beans, vetches. Those who keep these wild and rustic 

 Pigeons in towers, and in the tops of their farm- 

 houses, should, as far as possible, introduce them to 

 their Dovery at a good age ; they should be procured 

 neither too young nor too old, as many males as females. 

 Nothing is more prolific than Pigeons, so that in forty 

 days they conceive, and lay, and incubate, and rear. 

 And they do this nearly the whole year: they only 

 make an interval from winter to the vernal equinox. 

 Two young ones are hatched, which, as soon as they 

 have attained their growth and strength, begin to lay 

 in company with their parents."* 



The reader, if he will be advised, will select a warm 

 well-fitted loft, as the best place to keep Pigeons in. 

 Having prepared that, the next step is not merely to 

 furnish it with a sufficient population, but to settle the 

 new colony in a state of contentment with their loca- 

 tion. With all other poultry, it is enough to get them 

 home, feed them, and leave them to inspect their new 

 master's premises at their uncontrolled leisure. Not so 

 with Pigeons. Bring a score fine birds to your com- 

 fortable loft; give them all the peas, and water, and 

 salt they can wish for ; let them out at the end of a day 

 or two ; and the chances are, that in a few hours they 

 will all have disappeared, never to be caught sight of, 

 by you, again. You then go to the dealer with a 

 doubting face, and complain that all the birds you 

 bought of him the other day have flown back again. 

 He replies, " Sir, I am very sorry for that ; very sorry 

 indeed ! Such good specimens ; and, altogether, at a 

 long price ! " 



" Well, but," you say, " of course you will let me 

 * De Re Rustica, iii. 7. 



