THE LADIES’ MAGAZINE OF GARDENING. 
293 
a burning sun, and along a dusty, shadeless road, we climbed a steep hill, 
and after walking a mile and a half, instead of half a mile, we reached 
Mr. M‘Intosh’s house. We were instantly admitted, but I was too much 
tired and annoyed to do justice to the fine kitchen-garden of twenty acres 
in extent, notwithstanding its beautiful situation with the new church of 
Dalkeith full in front. I was also disappointed in the grounds, which I 
thought very inferior to those of several other places which we had 
visited. In one part was a curious Elizabethan conservatory, very rich, 
but very heavy, with immense vaults beneath it. When we came out, 
the man at the gate apologised ; but I really could hardly forgive him for 
the trouble and annoyance he had caused us. 
( To be continued.) 
ESSAYS ON ORNITHOLOGY. 
BY MR. MAIN. 
(Continued from page 274.) 
Oolumba, or Pigeons. —The common stock-doves usually build their 
nests and breed on rocks. All our tame pigeons are varieties of this 
species; and what is remarkable, the wild ones, in considerable flocks, 
will, in severe winters, unite with the tame ones, and avail themselves of 
their warm cots on nights, and continue to do so till the breeding season 
invites them to their native haunts. So numerous are the varieties of 
this species, that pigeon-fancying is a business of itself, and the traders 
deal in curious specimens, sometimes of considerable value. In former 
times it seems that tame pigeons were so universally kept that they 
became a pest to farmers, whose remonstrances probably occasioned 
the enactment of a law which limited the number of dovecots to one 
only on each manor : but this law is not now much regarded. 
The Woodpigeon is a very beautiful and very common inhabitant of 
our woods everywhere. In the breeding season they are much more 
familiar than at other times, and seem to woo the colnpany of man, often 
building in low trees in gardens, close to the house. Their nest is only 
a few sticks, laid in a horizontal position on a branch of the same inclina¬ 
tion, but without raised edges, or any material intended for warmth. 
They, as well as all other pigeons, are of a very warm temperament, and 
perhaps it is on this account that a wicker-work cradle is so necessary for 
their personal comfort while nestlings. Although they bring forth only 
two at a hatch, and this only twice in the summer, it is wonderful to see 
VOL. i.— no. x. 
Q o, 
