CHURCH PIGEONS 



ago the pigeons which frequented Yarmouth 

 parish church had their headquarters over one 

 of the chapels. 



Doubtless the custom would die hard, yield- 

 ing reluctantly before a growing reverence for 

 the fabric of the place. The cooing of doves 

 above his chancel would have sadly vexed the 

 spirit of a certain cleric who one day exhibit- 

 ed his church to a chance visitor. Quite sud- 

 denly his steady flow of information ceased. 1 1 

 was a sunny autumn morning, the church door 

 stood open, and a little robin had flown bold- 

 ly in, doubtless attracted by the decorations 

 for the coming Harvest Festival. It flutter- 

 ed happily from place to place, uttering those 

 autumn notes so sadly sweet; and presently it 

 perched upon the very altar, innocent and un- 

 afraid. 



In utmost consternation the now agitated 

 vicar harried the intruder up and down and 

 here and there; till, seeming to understand at 

 length how very far from welcome was its pre- 

 sence, the discouraged bird departed by the 

 way it came. 



The churchman had perhaps never'heard the 

 ^ 125 



