of these birds, are, a species of itch, and a pustular eruption resembling the small-pox; either of which may be cured by mixing small quantities of crude antimony, in powder, with pure water, for their daily drink, till the skin appear perfectly clear.—From Mr. Parkinson's book before quoted, we learn, that a pigeon-conjurer, who, by fascinating means effected the return of his emigrant birds, together with a colony of strangers, employed salt and asa-fœtida, as the principal ingredients in his secret composition.
Those of our readers, who wish to acquire more extensive information, respecting the management of the domestic pigeon, will be amply gratified by the perusal of Mr. Girton's Complete Pigeon-Fancier, &c. a small work, of which several editions have lately been published.
PIGMENTS, are preparations in a solid form, chiefly employed by painters, for imitating particular colours, and imparting them to the surface of bodies.
Pigments are obtained from animal, vegetable, and mineral substances; the last, however, are the most durable.—In the progress of this work, we have pointed out various materials, that may with advantage be applied to the purposes of the painter, especially under the articles Colour-making, and Colouring-matter: it would, therefore, be superfluous to repeat, in this place, those multifarious articles which are described in their alphabetical order; as the reader will be furnished with a distinct and complete arrangement of such matters, at the conclusion of this Encyclopædia, in the General Index of Reference.
PIKE, or Esox Lucius, L. an exceedingly bold and voracious fish, inhabiting most of the lakes of Europe, and likewise the ditches in the vicinity of the Thames, as well as the shallow water of the fens in Lincolnshire. This fish sometimes grows to a prodigious size; measuring two yards in length; weighing from 25 to 40lb. and living to the age of 100 years.
Pikes indiscriminately feed on fish, devouring their own species, as well as frogs, aquatic rats, the carcasses of other animals, and even swallowing young ducks alive, from the element on which they swim; nay, occasionally contenoing with the otter for its prey.—They cast their spawn in March or April, according to the mildness of the weather; and, while in high season, are variegated with beautiful green, yellow, and red colours; but, when these tints change, the fish are of inferior quality.—There is a peculiar method of taking the pike, practised, both in Lincolnshire and the island of Ceylon, by means of a crown-net, which is formed of a semi-circular basket, open at both ends. The sportsman, being provided with a small fen-boat, frequently immerses the machine to the bottom of the water; then with a pole ascertains, by the striking of the fish, whether he has been successful: by this simple expedient, great numbers of them are taken. It is farther stated, that pikes are often haltered in a noose, and thus secured while asleep, in the ditches near the Thames.
The method ot angling for pike, is similar to that pursued for Perch (which see); but, in this case, the line should be very strong, with a large Kirby pike-hook, fastened with gimp, which is far preferable
