8o 



Idle Days in Palag-ouia. 



pigeons, ducks, and geese were the greatest foes of 

 the farmer. When the sowing season commenced 

 tlie pigeons (Columlja maculosa) came in myriads 

 to devour the grain, wliich is liere souai broadcast. 

 Shooting and poisoning them was practised on some 

 farms, while on others dogs were trained to hunt 

 the birds from the ground ; but notwitlistanding all 



these measures, halt' the seed committed to the 

 earth was devoured. When the corn was fully 

 ripe and ready to be harvested then came the brown 

 duck — Dahhi spinacauda — in niilHons to feast on 

 tlie grain. Early in winter the arrival of the 



