■IIIK ])(i\ I'XOTK I'KUv-.X. 391 



" The dung of doves," says 3Iorier, "is the dearest iiKimire whicli the rersiiins use, and 

 as they ajjply it almost entirely to the rearing of melons, it is probably on that account 

 that the melons of Ispahan are so mucli finer tlian those of other cities. The revenue of 

 a pigeon-house, is about a hundred tomauus per annum ; and the great value of tliis 

 dung, which rears a fruit that is indispensable to the existence of the natives during tlie 

 great heats of summer, will probably throw some light on that passage of iScripture, 

 where, in the famine of Samaria, the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung was sold for five 

 pieces of silver." 



Jlany of our varieties are very beautiful, and they all present peculiarities of manner 

 and ilight, well known to those who take pleasure in these birds. The tiiDihlcr is remark- 

 able for flying in circles, and throwing itself over backwards, so as to perform a somer- 

 sault in the air ; this evolution is often performed several times in succession before 

 settling. The fantail has sixteen or eighteen tail-feathers, and it is distinguished by 

 their being peculiarly arranged, like those of a fowl. This variety is usually white. 

 The politer is conspicuous, though not elegant, from its elevated figure, feathered legs, 

 and distended crop. The Jncoblii is a small pigeon, commonly of a rusty-yellow, with a 

 frill of reverted feathers down each side of the neck to the chest. The irtiii is a beautiful 

 variety, of a pure white, excepting the head, quill-feathers, and tail, which are black. 



