FIOEONS. 



ration of thicty honrs, as by that time they mil certainly have 

 become spoiled. 



If from any accident or caprice, the hen shoxdd one day fly 

 off and not retnm to her mate, you had best not let more than 

 two days elapse before you supply the bereaved husband with 

 a fresh spouse ; otherwise he will set off in search of his lost 

 partner, and, probably, never return. If it is the cock-bird 

 who mysteriously vanishes, you need not be so much alarmed ; 

 the mourning of the widowed pigeon will be but of short 

 duration j she will lay wait for the first flock that comes along, 

 ma>ke love to some good-looking single male, and at once in- 

 vite hiTin home. Instances are on record, of wild male-pigeons 

 being enticed into bondage after this fashion. 



FEEDING. 



The staple of their food should be gray peas. They will, 

 however, thrive well on wheat, or oats, or barley, separately 

 or mixed. The smallest of beans, known as pigeon's beans, 

 may also be given, but I should prefer to mix it with 

 some milder grain. Oare should be taken that the pigeon- 

 beans are not newer than a year old, or they will scour the 

 birds. Seeds are sometimes given as stimulants, and many 

 use hemp-seed for the purpose. Rape-seed is, however, far 

 preferable. Hemp-seed is of an exceedingly heating nature, 

 and apt to induce skin disease. Equal care should be taken 

 that whatever food you give them is not d'-cayed, and fall of 

 mites. If you have the least doubt on the subject, bake the 

 suspected grain for half an hour. Mites swallowed alive and 

 vemanmmg alive in the stomach have destroyed many a bird. 



On this subject of pigeon diet, a reliable authority states, 

 " Green food may be provided for pigeons, that do not have 

 their liberty, in the form of lettuce ; or salad may be sown in 

 troughs, or boxes, for them to peck off; any smooth -leaved 

 greens will be relished, but it requires to be fast . or fixed, to 

 enable them to pick little pieces out. Cress, rape-seed, or any 

 of the cabbage tribe, may thus be sown for the pigeons. The 

 dovehouse pigeons are usually fed in the poultry-yard ; and 

 the fancy pigeons, that are not to fly out, are fed from the 

 hopper in their aviary, to which they always have free access. 

 The same plan is usually adopted in lofts ; but where other 

 kinds are kept in pigeon-houses, or lookers, it is usual to call 

 them by a whistle, or some other known signal, to be fed at 

 Si%me quiet spot near at hand ; and on account of the fondness 



