Pertinax

You are quite correct-the dormouse is on the table!

Yes, the grey squirrel. Red squirrels aren't really found in my part of the South and Fox Squirrels are most towards the Coast. Though I imagine they would all taste about the same. As for the Dove, you are correct in the assertion that Squab refers to young pigeon here. The particular doves I've often enjoyed are Mourning Doves: Not to be crude or disrespectful to my little feathered friends, but shall I describe the process & how easy they are to clean? certainly, the Triclinium must be filled ( and ive just eaten some smoked oysters-excellent)

How very interesting-is this the grey squirrel that is eaten? Also is the Dove called a "squab" in the uSA or is that confined to immature pigeons?

Have any members tackled Dalby's "Empire of Pleasure's?' and do they have any thoughts on this work?

Broccoli is fine-the presence of sulphoraphane is a powerful trigger to the removal of free radicals especially in the lungs. Continue the treatment! http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/broccoli.htm you a snippet on the virtuous vegetable

"peacock you admire him , often he spreads his jewel incrusted tail.How can you , unfeeling man , hand this creature over to the cook?"(Martial). well quite easily actually As many will know the Romans read the flight and behaviour of birds ,an art originally developed by the Etruscans .Originally seers staked out an area of sky by placing two sticks at a distance from each other on the ground ( the templun) .Then they sat on a 3 legged stool to study the sky, depending on the direction and number of identified species so were the signs interpretedeg: an eagle moving from the right showed Jupiter looking down favourably. The messengers were eaten shamelessley, crows,magpies, titmice, thrushes and pelicans all ended in the triclinium.The pheasant and the peacock were roasted and then had their plumage re-attached for the table. Thrushes were considered even more excellent than flamingoes tounges or parrot brain ( I know you are saying -"never. the brain is delicious!"), in a terrine they were considered most savoury. to be continued...

can someone identify the statue given by Pullo to his woman when the 13th finally moved off from Rome?

Caesars expression is priceless, and all the hot water drinking in Britain is very amusing.

Egeria screened tonight here-no let up in quality but this felt like a charachter "filler" to give more personal depth to the storyline -Pullo is such a likeable guy , obviously Neptune didnt get a sufficient sacrifice