Feeding Pigeons at Liberty. 
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likes them to feed at his feet, which is easily managed by giving them a little hempseed now and 
then — a treat for which they will not only come there, but speedily begin to perch upon his person. 
Still, it is not advisable to feed upon the ground, both for the reasons already given, and because 
a great deal would be wasted upon the sparrows. Under such circumstances the contrivance 
shewn in Fig. 16, for which we are indebted to our friend the “ Wiltshire Rector,” may answer 
the purpose. It consists of a little shed or verandah with a sloping roof to throw off the wet, and 
about half a yard deep from front to back ; at the back of which are placed one or more square 
wooden troughs, three inches deep and wide, and of any length required, about three feet being 
most convenient for handling. The square section will almost entirely prevent the pigeons 
scattering the food with their beaks, which they would do with any shallow vessel, and the rain 
cannot get in. It will be still better if wires be fixed across the top of the troughs, as in Fig. 15. 
Fig. 16. — FEEDING-rLACE FOR PIGEONS AT LlBER'I Y. 
The troughs should always be brought in at night, to prevent the ravages of mice. The height of 
such a verandah may be from twelve to eighteen inches. The former height best keeps out driving 
rain, the latter is better for the birds if suddenly startled and rising quickly from their food. 
Another very good plan of feeding pigeons at liberty is to have a small round wooden table, 
upon one tripod leg, the circumference of which is surmounted by a perpendicular rim of almost 
three inches’ depth, to confine the feed. On this table the food is placed, and it is a most pretty 
and enjoyable sight to watch the birds standing round and feeding. No plan of feeding brings 
them into such full view as this, but it is not so well adapted for wet weather. 
We have been thus careful to guard the young fancier against mistakes in feeeding, and we 
would also lay stress upon what we shall say regarding clean water and other kindred points, 
because the digestive system of pigeons is very difficult of regulation by any drugs in the 
pharmacopoeia. It is possible, though often very difficult, to stop purging ; but if the bowels 
become confined, we believe we are not going beyond the truth in saying that there is no aperient 
which can be depended on with any certainty. Were it otherwise, many valuable birds would have 
been saved ; but under the circumstances it becomes doubly important to avoid such disturbances 
of the system as make remedial measures necessary. 
As a rule, pigeons are best without any green food. No doubt birds at large get a portion of 
