They used to make pigeon pies...

Look, it's only £250. There's no point in getting upset. The Scotsman reports:

"Officials at Holyrood confirmed that staff are monitoring one feral pigeon which is nesting above the public entrance at Holyrood and the authorities have drawn up contingency plans to remove the bird, by road, to a wildlife rescue park near Ayr, rather than chase it away.
Experts from Ecolab, the company brought in by the parliamentary authorities to deal with the pigeon problem, believe the bird should be allowed to stay where it is - for the moment.
But if they see any evidence that it is getting distressed, or in danger, then the contractors will be brought in and the emergency pigeon-removal plan will be put into operation.
A spokesman for the parliament confirmed that a close vigil was being mounted on this one particular squab (baby pigeon) with staff keeping a keen look-out for others.
He said: "The preferred option is to leave the chick where it is until it flies the nest. However if it did need removed, the trust in Beith is the most suitable centre.
"The initial cost of removing a chick is around £250. This would include removing the bird and the nest, cleaning the area and transporting the bird to Ayr."

Some might think it admirable that officials care about the distress that might be experienced by a baby pigeon and I can only applaud the committee clerks, the catering staff and the security men who can't sleep at night worrying about the dangers which might threaten our young chum. Furthermore, they will mount a vigil. And, even if it costs £250, is it not better for the endangered pigeon to be transported to a new and no doubt more fulfilling life at a wildlife centre? Even in Ayrshire (where they know all about wild life)? Of course, some MSPs will cavil in a petty-minded way about such an expense but surely we have a collective responsibility to care for our fellow creatures, even pigeons (aka flying rats).

And, anyway, it is not the officials who will pay out of their own pocket. No, no - this will be financed at public expense, so who cares about the cost?