148 
BISET OR WILD ROCK-PIGEON. 
or, as it is frequently called, the dove-cot, buildings 
erected expressly for the pm-pose of containing colo- 
nies of these birds. In this state, where they enjoy 
a perfect freedom of action, and are nearly depend- 
ant upon their own exertions for support, they can 
scarcely be called reclaimed, much less domesticated. 
Man, indeed, has only taken advantage of certain 
habits natural to the species, and by the substitution 
of an artificial for a real cavern, to which the pigeon- 
house may be compared, has, without violating or at 
least greatly infringing upon its natural condition, 
brought it into a kind of voluntary subjection, and 
rendered it subservient to his benefit and use. Vast 
numbers of young pigeons in various parts of the 
world are by this system annually produced and 
rendered available as a wholesome and nutritious 
food, as. well as a source of considerable profit to the 
proprietors of these edifices. 
Various practical treatises upon the management 
of the dove-cot, and other details connected with 
it, are already before the public, and to them we 
must refer our readers for further information, as the 
limited nature of the present work will not admit of 
such copious extracts as would be necessary to em- 
brace all the respective details. It may not, how- 
ever, be out of place to advert to a few of the prin- 
cipal objects to be considered, by those who contem- 
plate the erection of a pigeon-house ; and first in re- 
gard to the form of the building. The most ap- 
proved is that of a circular tower, as it affords ad- 
