76 THE PIGEON-FANCIER. 



~i handful of powdered assafoetida. 



I „ common salt. 



1 ,, bay salt. 



I „ linseed. 



1 „ canary. 



I „ hemp. 



I „ ground allspice. 



Mix all well together dry, then add water, and 

 mix stiffly. Make into three lumps, and bake in 

 slow oven for one hour. 



This delicious aromatic compound is known 

 by the euphonious name of " Salt Cat." Where 

 the cat comes in I fail to discern. There is a tra- 

 dition whispered through the Fancy that ancient 

 Fanciers concocted a secret preparation for the 

 delectation of their birds as gruesome and re- 

 pugnant as witch-broth — one ingredient of which 

 was a baked pussy-cat. Hence the origin of the 

 odd name. For lack of one more appropriate, 

 succeeding generations of Fanciers retain the 

 title but omit the cat. There must, however, be 

 something uncommonly scrumptious in dead cats, 

 for if I mistake not, one had also to do with 

 christening a certain strong drink " Old Tom." 



