21 NOVEMBER 1885, Page 3

What are the British Museum authorities about in allowing their

pigeons to be destroyed by so cruel a method as that of feeding them with grain steeped in spirits of wine ? The result has certainly been great torture, and a very lingering kind of torture, in a certain number of cases ; whereas always till now the stock of pigeons has been reduced, when necessary, after some humane fashion. We have no reason to suppose that the authorities were consulted about the cruel method adopted; but that is not enough ; whoever adopted it should be made to feel the displeasure of the authorities, and to regret his inhumane proceedings.