536 The Zoologist — January, 1807. 



on by means of others. The note was written on a thin slip of paper, 

 enclosed in a very small gold box, almost as thin as the paper itself, 

 suspended to the neck of the bird ; the hour of arrival and departure 

 were marked at each successive tower, and for greater security a 

 duplicate was always despatched two hours after the first. The 

 despatches were, however, not always enclosed in gold, but merely in 

 paper, in which case, to prevent the letters being defaced by damp, 

 the legs of the pigeon were first bathed in vinegar, with a view to keep 

 them cool, so that they might not settle to drink, or wash themselves 

 on the way, which in that hot climate they were often doing." 



Formerly it was not an uncommon thing to send a pair of doves or 

 pigeons as a present. 



"I have brought you a letter and a couple of pigeons here." 



Titus Andronicus, Act iv. Scene 4. 



Justice Shallow, in ordering dinner showed his appreciation of 

 pigeons as well as of other good cheer. He says : 



" Some pigeons, Davy, a couple of short-legged hens ; a joint of mutton ; and any 

 pretty little tiny kickshaws ; tell William cook." 



Henry IV., Part I., Act v. Scene 2. 



The attachment of pigeons for their young is well known : 



" As pigeons feed their young." 



As You Like It, Act i. Scene 2. 



" And as pigeons bill so wedlock would be nibbling.'' 



Id., Act iii. Scene 3. 



" This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons peas." 



Love's Labour Lost, Act v. Scene 1 . 



J. E. Harting. 



Kingsbury, Middlesex. 



(To be continued). 



