‘© THE NATURAIZHISTORY __ 
When Pigcon-houfes are at fome diftance, it 1s 
neceflary to sued them from birds of prey, fuch 
as Hawks and Owls, and even from Magpies. : 
The tame Pigeon is in a ftill higher flate of 
domeftication, its. colours and varieties dre in= 
finite. 
Thee Pigeons will breed almoft every month, 
provided there be not too many in the fame Dove- 
houfe; but then each pair muft have three or 
four boxes, and fo contrived that they may not 
fee one another whilft they fit; ifthe number be 
too great, they will be breuehily Sightiig aed 
breaking the egos, 
“They begin to lay af nine months old, and fit 
from feventeen-to twenty days; and as they breed 
fo frequently, it has been calculated that in four 
years one thoufand eight hundred might be pro- 
duced from one pair. 
_ They lay each time two eges, fcarcely aebiag 
any neft; the cock and hen fit by turns, one call- — 
ing to the other by a gentle cooing, whenever it 
wifhes to leave the neft in fearch of food. ‘The 
cock watches near his mate attentively, whilft 
fhe is fitting, and takes her place for two or three 
hours at a time, fometimes twice in a day and — 
nl ight. 
Their 
