But even in his murders the Boche lacks a sense of proportion, which is, of course, merely another way of saying that he has no sense of humor. To the martyrdom of the parrot must be added that of two luckless pigeons whose sole crime against the Deutches Reich was that of being born after a certain date. It was decreed soon after the occupation of Brussels that all owners of pigeons must notify the authorities the number of birds which they possessed. Amongst those complying with the order was a certain shopkeeper who kept a pair of pigeons as pets. They were not of the carrier variety, and he was allowed to retain them. But pigeons are notoriously domesticated creatures, and presently an interesting event occurred in the establishment of this happy couple. A couple of squabs were hatched out. These duly assumed down, which in turn became feathers, and presently there were four pigeons where formerly had been but two. At this stage a German official, armed with a registration list, paid a visit of inspection. He noted the well-preened quartette, and referred to his papers. Then he frowned ominously. "On such and such a date you registered two pigeons." "That is so," was the answer. "Since then----" "But you have four there." "Quite true. You are----" "But you are only entitled to have two." "A thousand pardons, mein Herr. But one cannot interfere with Nature. My two pigeons, you see----" "If you registered two only, you cannot be allowed to have four. It is self-evident." It is needless to repeat the colloquy at length. Though that explanations were cut short, refused a hearing. No German official was ever known to "use his discretion"; that is a prerogative of the muddle-headed British. The list had _two_ pigeons; here were _four_. Obviously there was only one course to be taken. The abundant pigeons shared the fate of the indiscreet parrot. Next day there appeared suspended in the mourning owner's shop-window two feathered corpses adorned with this pathetic placard:-- MORTS POUR LA PATRIE! V--THE SECRET NEWSPAPER--_LIBRE BELGIQUE_