pigeon milk

They are fed by the parents with pigeon milk, which is simply the usual food of the old birds softened in the crop.

The so-called pigeon milk varies according to the size of squabs and later contains whole grains and water.

"Pigeon milk" is injected into their open throats by the parent birds, in whose stomachs it has been manufactured.

They are kept stuffed full of "pigeon milk" and on this they seem to grow while one watches them.