THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
May 9.] 
variety with the two following. Temminclc, one of the authors 
who hest understood these birds, only unites the dove-house 
pigeon to this, hut he thinks that some varieties of the dove- 
1 cot might come from elsewhere. This bird, which is found 
I in Africa, as well as far north in Sweden, appears in Europe 
in the spring, and departs in autumn. It inhabits the woods, 
builds on the branches, or in the holes of trees, and roosts 
habitually. If all domestic pigeons do not descend from this 
one, as some naturalists think, it is most certainly the origin 
of the stock of thedove-house; it soon becomes domesticated, 
! and in one part of Asia they consider it an amusement 
to reduce it to this tame state. “ All through Persia,” says 
1 Chardin, “ both wild and tame pigeons are found, but the wild 
are much more abundant. I think in this country they build 
the handsomest dove-houses in the world; there are more 
than three thousand round Ispahan. It is a great amuse¬ 
ment to the inhabitants to catch these pigeons in the country, 
by means of some tamed and trained for this purpose ; they 
fly in flocks all day after the wild ones, which they surround 
and decoy to the dove-house." 
2. The Stock-Dove: Columba livia tenas. — It differs 
essentially from the preceding, by having always a blue ash 
coloured rump ; its head, throat, and all its under parts are 
also of this colour; the sides of the neck are of a varying 
green, that is to say, have a metallic reflection ; the breast of 
a purplish colour; the top of the back of a brownish ash 
colour; a black spot on the two last secondary feathers of 
the wings ; all the quill feathers of the wing and tail of a 
bluish ash colour, terminating in hlaek, some white also is on 
the extreme beard of the lateral quill feathers of the tail; 
iris of the eye a reddish brown; bill and feet red; length 
thirteen inches in a state of liberty, and fourteen when domes¬ 
ticated. 
We think that our dove-lionse pigeons descend from this 
one, as well as from the preceding, since they are found to 
resemble them both, and are nearly in the same numbers in 
all the pigeon-houses on large farms. 
These birds, like the preceding, bear the name of wood- 
pigeon, because they differ from the other domestic pigeons 
in their colour which is of a browner cast. They are never 
found in cold countries in the wild state, and only remain in 
temperate climates during summer. Towards the end of 
February and the beginning of March they arrive in large 
flocks in the south of France, and in the southern districts 
of Paris; they establish themselves in the woods, build in 
the trunks of trees, but never on the branches ; they lay two 
or three eggs in the spring, and probably lay a second time 
in summer; they only bring up two each time, and return 
in the month of November, taking their route in a southern 
direction, probably they go through Spain to Africa, there to 
pass the winter. These birds roost, but not so frequently 
as the wild wood-pigeon. They become domestic with the 
greatest facility. Taken young and reared in a dove-house, 
they become attached to it; do not leave it again, and lay 
two or three times a year. They have often been seen to 
• r ' ■ • • 
8(1 
come and fix themselves there of their own accord. Some 
of them even penetrate into the dove-cots, couple with the 
tame pigeons, and produce a posterity among whom no trace 
is found of the wild habits of their parents. 
(To bo resumed.) 
DOMESTIC MECHANISM. 
Dinner Pitcher. —Out of the many who dine “ al fresco” 
in the fields, or like TrottyVeck, on the doorsteps of great 
men’s houses in crowded cities, or like cabmen in their 
vehicles, how very few can say that their dinner or other 
meals, sent them by their “loving wives,” are warm and 
comfortable. And yet, a little forethought and ingenuity 
can easily obtain this desideratum. Hot water is used in 
the houses of the wealthy to keep the dishes warm, why not 
use the same means for the comfort of the poor? The 
dishes frugal and cheaply got up should be given as warm 
as possible. In the inside of a 
proper-sized pitcher let the tinsmith 
fasten one of less dimensions, leav¬ 
ing a space of one inch or so be¬ 
tween the two. At the upper side 
solder a flange, covering-in this space. 
At a part of this flange cut out an 
aperture half an inch in diameter, 
and solder into it a small brass screw 
cap. Through this aperture the warm 
water is poured .just before the messenger leaves home. The 
meat in the inside pitcher is thus kept warm by the hot water 
surrounding it. A close-fitting lid should be made to close 
up the interior pitcher. For the purpose of withdrawing the 
water when cold, a brass screw cap (such caps cost only one 
penny) should be placed at the bottom of the pitcher. The 
figure at the left of the cut presents a contrivance placed in 
the lid of almost all such pitchers in America. Suppose the 
diameter of the lid to be six inches, a ring half or three- 
quarters of an inch deep, and three and a half in diameter, 
is soldered in the centre of it. This is used for holding 
salt, ifec. As a cover for this a tin cup is made, the mouth of 
which can be passed tightly over the ring above-mentioned, 
and there fastened. This cup can be taken off at pleasure 
and used to drink out of. A strip of metal may be soldered to 
the side of the pitcher, down which may be passed the knife, 
fork, and spoon, and then the dinner-service of the “ diner 
out” is complete.—B. 
TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Jasmine not Thriving (A York shir emftri ). — Your stunted jasmine is 
what gardeners term hide-bound, and that was caused by a sudden 
change when you planted it two years since. To enable it to make a fresh 
start, you must cut it down to within the last joint or two, and so get 
rid of the hide-bound portion. As soon afterwards as it begins to 
grow freely, water it once a week with weak liquid-manure to make up 
for lost time ; never stop it all the season, but next October cut it down 
to a yard’s length, and after that, it will branch out a beautitul plant. 
Camellias kept too Dry (ilf. S.). —Your camellia is likely to get 
over the severe drying, but you must not enlarge the space for its roots; 
the chances are, that the pan is too large for it already. Keep it in-doors 
till the end of June, and never let it get quite dry again. I-ook at the 
roots next August, and let us hear how r they look, and we shall advise you 
how to go on with it. 
Names of Plants (W. X. IK.).—The two plants of which you sent 
the seed labels are not worth cultivating. Hymenodietyon thyrsiflorum 
is a tree, with very fine large leaves ; and in India, its native place, is very 
handsome. The other is an Indian fruit of no use here. (A Subscriber, 
Queen Mnb). —Your plant is Doronicum austriacum, or Leopard’s Bane. 
Sulphur Paint for Wall (rl. B. F.).— In preparing this, as de¬ 
scribed at page 18, Mr. Errington puts four handsful offlowers of sulphur 
to a large garden water-pot (about three gallons). It is not easy to put 
too much sulphur. 
Single Horse Plough and Dirbling Machine ( Denizes ).—You 
can get the first from Messrs. Stratton & Co., Clarke-street, Bristol, and 
the dibbling machine from Ur. Newington, Knole Park, Frant, Faver- 
sham, Kent. 
Error.— At p. 78, col. 2, line 11 from the bottom, for “ Sedum ” read 
"Ledum.” 
Index and Title Page ( Diantlius ).—These, for our third volume, 
may be obtained through any bookseller. We charge for them One 
Fenny ; if you send three postage stamps, with your address, to our 
office we will send you a copy post free. 
