6    Fatty rashers of bacon,

           -chopped roughly
      3    Cloves garlic

      4    Pigeons or other small game

           -birds (6 if very small)
      8 oz Mushrooms, chopped roughly

      3 oz Hazelnuts or walnuts,

           -roasted, coarsely chopped
  1 1/4 c  Real ale

    3/4 c  Water

      3    Bay leaves

           -salt
           -black pepper, fresh ground
      6    Coarse slices brown bread

  Fry the bacon, with the garlic, till it is lightly browned in a heavy
  bottomed casserole. Add birds and brown on all sides. Add the mushrooms and
  nuts, continue to cook for a couple of minutes, then add the ale and water
  with the bay leaves.
  Bring to the boil, cover and simmer very gently for 2 - 2 1/2 hours-- the
  birds should be falling off the bone. Remove the birds from the juices,
  cool juices completely and remove any excess fat. The birds can be served
  whole on or off the bone. If the latter, carve them while they are cold
  then return to the skimmed juices and reheat gently. Adjust the seasoning
  to taste and serve either the whole birds of the slices on the pieces of
  bread, with plenty of the juices and "bits". A good green salad to follow
  is the best accompaniment.