fEESING. 



of the birds for a yoTuig salad, not so mncli as food, but simply 

 as a relish, I would advise the amateur not to entice them 

 into the kitchen garden, or they may cause annoyance among 

 the young crops, 



" There is hardly any kind of grain or com which pigeons 

 will refuse, but their preference seems to be given to b 'imp- 

 seed over every other ; yet too much of it is injurious to them ; 

 and it has been found, in Germany, that, after the hnseea 

 harvest, pigeons are frequently ill, and die of diarrhoea. 



" Although pigeons are granivorous birds, yet they will eat, 

 and apparently enjoy, an occasional change of boiled potatoes, 

 soaked bread, and bacon or ham fat, cut in small pieces ; and 

 there is a particular grub, or larva, which they find in old 

 pastures, and eat when other food is scarce." 



Pigeons are wonderfully fond of powerful odours, and, pro- 

 vided it is powerful, they are by no means particular as to its 

 quality. Sprinkle their floor with lavender or assafoetida, and 

 they wiU. appreciate one equally with the other. It is reckoned 

 a good plan to scent a pigeon-house previous to stocking it. 



I am aware it will be accounted rank heresy amongst the 

 " fancy," but I really cannot help speaking my mind concerning 

 that abomination, the " salt oat." Ask nine-tenths of the most 

 experienced pigeon-keepers, and they will tell you that without 

 the " cat " luck will not abide in the dormer. Does the reader 

 know how a " cat " is manufactured F I will tell him. Tou 

 take half a peck each of brick -rubbish, gravel, and stiff clay, 

 and add a quarter of a pound of anise-seed, and as much salt- 

 petre. Tou put this mixture into a tub, and add sufficient stale 

 chamber-ley to work it into mortar. This odoriferous compound 

 you put into old pots and kettles, and stick about your loft ! 

 Ignorant and nasty fanciers will tell you that a better " cat " 

 still is, a goat's head, stuffed with salt and hemp-seed and 

 anise, and boiled in urine ! 



The simple fact is, it is necessary to the pigeon's health 

 that he should be well supplied with lime and salt, and it is 

 on these ingredients alone that the entire " oat " rests its claim 

 for admittance into the pigeon loft. For all practical purposes, it 

 will be sufficient to have in one comer a box containing old 

 mortar, and in another comer a pan filled with nine parts 

 common salt and one part saltpetre. It does not always do 

 to follow " good old customs." In the time of our grandfather's 

 father, the salt cat was a real cat, baked with salt and various 



