1216 Live Stock.—Pigeons—-preper Management of.

They are particularly injurious to the grain crops juft at the time of harvett, by fettling in large flights upon the ftanding corn, and in this way doing more mif- chief by beating it down than by the quantity they confume.

Where this fort of ftock is kept, warm fheltered fituations, open to the fouth, are the moft advantageous, as the pigeon delights in warmth, and being expofed te the influence of the fun.

It is alfo of importance in the economy of thefe birds, that the floor of the dove- cote be nearly upon alevel with theholes where they enter, and that thefe holes be not too large or too numerous: the holes where they form their nefis fhould not be much inclofed, as pigeons delight in being at liberty. Salt and{trong fcents, fuch as that of affafcetida, are faid to be agreeable to thefe birds, fo as frequently to attach them to their habitations.

The pigeon feldom lays more than two eggs at one laying, fitting about twenty days, the male and female alternately. They are capable of breeding frequently, but in general produce only two or three broods or flights in the year. There are feveral forts, but the common blue pigeon is probably the moft produ@ive. The tumblers are fmall, but very domeftic.

After recommending the harveft flight of pigeons as the moft proper for the purpofe of flock, as being the ftrongeft to withfland the winter feafon, the author of the“ Experienced Farmer” gives the following directions on the manage- ment of thefe birds. In regard to feeding them, it is advifed as only neceflary during the feafon between feed-time and liarveft, when“ it fhould be done by three or four o’clock in the morning; as they rife early. If you ferve them much later, they will keep hovering about home, and be prevented taking their neceffary exercife.” If fed“ the year round, they will not breed near fo well as if forced to feek their own food; for they pick up in the fields what is pleafant and, healthy to them, and from the beginning of the harveft to the end of feed-time they find plenty.” They may be fed with tares, grain, or feeds of any kind.

“‘ Be cautious of not letting the firft flight fly to increafe the flock, but let every one of them be taken; as thefe will come in what is called benting-time, that is, between feed-time and harveft. It is then that pigeons are the fcarceft; and many of the young ones would pine to death through weaknefs during that feafon.

“ At the latter end of every flight care fhould be taken to defiroy all thofe eggs which were not layed in a proper time. The proper time for the fpring-flight 1s in April and May. After the harveft-flight, cold weather begins to come on, which injures the old pigeon much if fhe fits late; and the young will be good for nothing if hatched.”

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