Mountford, Timothy (fl. 1804-1810) to Tobias Lear re: caring for pigeons

Algiers, Feb. 17th 1804.

My Dear Sir,

I send you 4 fr. Pigeons, they are of the largest kind - and of that sort which increase abundantly - as I know something of the nature of these annuals - I will tell you how to proceed with the [illegible] first [illegible] the house swept thoroughly free from the dirt of its late inhabitant - leaving not even any vestages of old nests & in the boxes.-
I will send you some trash proper for their nests; common straw will not answer it is of a sealing nature, injure the feet & feathers of the birds, which becomes so painful to them, while setting, that they are obliged, at times, to quit their nests for an hour together - by which means the young die in the egg - the Bird & become discouraged -- & will neither set themselves nor suffer their neighbors, should they be more fortunate in the selection of material to compose their nests on the floor in one corner, leaving nothing in the boxes, because if you do, it indicated to them as it would to a human being, that some one has already taken possession
Let there be a pan of fresh water placed just inside the door, so that it can be put in & removed conveniently without entering the house at times. And then throw in a handful of seed, Barley or wheat & some gravel all near pigeons in the house & do not suffer then to come out for atleast ten days, & a fortnight I should prefer. Every morning have clean water & food given while shut up, at least before 7. O'clock. With these precautions, in one month after you open their door & bid them go elsewhere, if they can live better, you will find them increase wonderfully. The charge of these birds, should be confided to one person to take care of for life a horse, they know well their keeper, & will not be disturbed at his approach.- When they have accumulated, so us to warrant a slaughter among the Squabs, for the old no acct should be molested) the same person must enter their house for that purpose, making no bustle, not even speaking, take what be is ordered, & not kill the young in a brutal manner before the very eyes of their parents.
The time of entering their house should be before they are done feeding, early in the morning - to effect this is proper manner, if you delight in an increase of these birds for the table - when the keeper goes to feed them (every morning) while in confinement let him Call out pretty loud, several times, Pee-Pee-Pee- before he gives them one grain of food.-They will in a few morning know what is coming.
- When they are at liberty- let him put neither grain or water in their house - but throw their feed always in one particular place in the yard - following for Pee-Pee-Pee before he gives them any - then should they have young it is his proper time to seek for them & that quickly for it is not good that they find anyone in their house -it is sufficient mortification for them to loose their children.
Previous to putting them in, it would be better to put a lock on the door to keep any one from entering, but what is ordered -- & have a small hole or two cut for them to pass thro; high up, which is to be stopped, till you give them liberty. When that moment arrives, that they are at large, have these holes unstopped over night - that they may see them, early in the morning, their give food in their place assigned for that purpose. Without this care in the beginning - you never will be very successful in the increase of pigeons. I have answer many people to be prod of them - but never could raise them -And I believe, because they did not treat them as directed in the beginning. - Experience, will be the best guide after all - your treat the first settlers handsomely - do not I will any for 6 or 12 months - and after that you will have enough & to spare, at all times.
Never fire a gun at them to kill them - nor suffer any one to throw stones at them.
I send up rise baskets, which kind, these birds one [illegible to in this place - and they are far better than Boxes - for many reasons, being cooler - suffers the dust to pass through & hanging above the floor, all the dirt can be swept out when necessary, which should likewise be done early & while the birds are feeding. You can hang these baskets as this as you please, but must be supported so, that they will not swing about, for that will be disagreeable - and the eggs would be broken, by the birds going to their nest.
I have the honor to be
Your obt. St.
Col. Lear Mountford.