The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-12-23
s. Pigeons MiIk.''

We have often heard these words used in
derislon, but never supposed that such an
article existed ill last evening we were read
ing some of the leaves Of that wonder
full naturalist, w. J. Broderip. He says ::
"As the breasts or uddera of mamiferous
females become gradual enlarged and thick
ened- at the time of uterine CESSATION, Sc,
during incubation, are the coats of the
pigeons crop and John Hunter, on COM
pairing the state OF that organ when the bird
was not setting with its appearance during
incubation. found the difference very remark
able. In the first case, II was very thin and
membrdneous but by the time when thr
Young were about to be hatChed, the whole
except the portion which lay under the ira
chpa became thicker, and assumed glandular
appearance, having its internal surface very
Irregular 1t was likewise evidently more
vascular than in its former state, in order to
the conveyance of quanty of blood suffi-
cent for the nourishing substance.
I" Whatever may be the COnsistence of this
substance when just secreted, it most proba-
blv very soon coagulates into ii granulated
white curd, for in such form, says Hunter,
in continuation, 81 have always found it
in the crop; and if an old pigeon is killed
inst as the Young ones are Matching, the crop
cavity pieces of white curd, mixed with
some Of the common food of the pigeon,
such as barley, beans, &c. If we allow
Ieither of the parents to feed the BROOD the
crop of the young pigeons when examined
will be discovered to contain the same kind
of curded substance as that Of the old ones,
which passes from thence into the stomach,
where it is to be digested.'
The Joke ah0ut milk " is not so
groundless, after all. But see how beautiful
" this dspensation is ordered, according TO
the exigences of the nesting.
The young pigeon is fed for little time
with this substance only, as about the third
day some of the common food is found min
gled with it. as the pigeon grows older, the
proportion OF common food is increased, so
that by the time it is seven, eight, or nine days
old, the secretion of the curd ceases in the
old ones and Of course no more will be
found in the young. 1t is a curious fact,
that the parent pigeon has at first the power
to throw up his without any mixture Of COM
mon food although, afterwards, both are
thrown up. according to the proportion re-
quired for the young ones.
| have called the subsistence curd, not as
heing literally so, but as resembling that
more than anything know it may, how
ever, have greater resemblance to curd than
we are perhaps aware of; for neither this Sc
cretion, nor curd from which the whey has
been pressed, seems to contain any sugar,
and do not run into the acetous fermentation.
The property of coagulation is confined to
the substance itself, as it produces no such
when mixed with milk. This secretion in
the pigeon, like all other animal substances,
becomes putrd by standing, though not so
readily as either blood or meat, it resisting
Iputrefaction for a considerable time (; neith-
Ter will curd much pressed become putrid so
soon as ther blood or meat.
Those who wish to examine this phenom-
Ienon more closely will find preparations of
the pigeons crop in that noble museum,
which is John Hunters best monument. No
young birds are in so foTlorn state as
Young pigeons, if the parents are killed be-
fore the young can provide for themselves.
Birds of other species, stimulated by, the
cries of the starving young which have been
deprived of parental aid, can and do give
assistance to the little wretches; but none
except an old pigeon, with its crop in pro-
per state, can save the life of nesting
dove.
The people of Carson's valley rebel against
the rule Of the Mormons, and though they