My wheat is destroyed by the hail." "Then let it be, and see if the barley and clover don't do better," replied Wilhelm gaily, tossing vetches and grains of wheat to a large dove that had alighted on the parapet of his tower.
"It eats, and what use is it ?" cried Allertssohn, looking at the dove.
"Herr von Warmond, a young man after God's own heart, has just brought me two falcons; do you want to see how I tame them ?" "No, Captain, I have enough to do with my music and my doves." "That is your affair.

The long-necked one yonder is a queer-looking fellow." "And of what country is he probably a native?
There he goes to join the others.

Watch him a little while and then answer me." "Ask King Soloman that; he was on intimate terms with birds." "Only watch him, you'll find out presently." "The fellow has a stiff neck, and holds his head unusually high." "And his beak ?" "Curved, almost like a hawk's! Zounds, why does the creature strut about with its toes so far apart?
Stop, bandit! He'll peck that little dove to death.

As true as I live, the saucy rascal must be a Spaniard!" "Right, it is a Spanish dove.

It flew to me, but I can't endure it and drive it away; for I keep only a few pairs of the same breed and try to get the best birds possible.