PIGEON STEALERS. 



117 



barge. He remarked, that, what with pigeon- 

 shooting by boatmen, and pigeon-stealing by hired 

 poachers, his dove-cot was not worth attending to. 

 He declined a prosecution, fearing lest the barge- 

 men should set fire to his corn-stacks. Thus ended 

 the affair . 



I have now placed in a clear point of view, the 

 real causes of destruction to our dove-cots. The 

 cure is both cheap and easy. It depends upon the 

 public to determine what is to be done. If our 

 markets are to be supplied as in days of yore, 

 pigeon-shooting-matches must certainly cease. If, 

 on the contrary, these cruel exhibitions are to be 

 continued, then indeed, our few remaining dove- 

 cots, will ere long, become tenantless; and they will 

 serve as beacons to shew the passing countryman, 

 what crime and cruelty can effect, when under the 

 cloak of pastime for the higher orders. 



