398 COLUMB.E. 



base. The hinder toe is placed on the same plane 

 with those in fronts and the whole sole of the foot is 

 formed of soft papillatcd pads^ which are usually >a 

 good deal wider than the scutellated upper portion 

 of the toes. The wings, which are generally long 

 and pointed, contain ten primary quills, and the 

 tail usually consists of twelve feathers, although in 

 some cases there are sixteen. Another important 

 character distinguishing these birds, as compared 

 with the Gallinae, is that their feathers are des- 

 titute of the plumules, or accessory plumes, which 

 are greatly developed in Gallinaceous birds. The 

 form of the wing in Pigeons is sufficient to indicate 

 that they are capable of powerful flight, and many of 

 them are remarkable for the speed with which they 

 traverse the air, especially when engaged in their 

 migrations. Most of them are arboreal, and nestle 

 in the holes of trees ; others frequent rocks, but all 

 perch with great facility ; nevertheless, they gene- 

 rally seek their food upon the ground, and walk or 

 run without difficulty. They are also remarkable 

 for their mode of drinking, in which they differ 

 from all other birds. The general practice of birds 

 in drinking is to take up a small portion of water in 

 the bill, and then by raising the head allow it to run 

 down into the throat. The Pigeons, on the con- 

 trary, dip their bills into the water and hold them 

 there till they have quenched their thirst. These 

 birds are inhabitants of the warmer and temperate 

 regions of the earth, but they are found in most 

 abundance in hot climates, where, also, their plumage 

 attains a brilliancy of which that of our native 

 species gives us but an imperfect idea. 



This extensive group has been divided by 

 nataralists into five sub-families, — the Tree Pigeons, 

 the Pigeons proper, the Ground Pigeons, the Tooth- 

 billed Pigeons, and the Dodos ; the last of which, 

 although existing up to a very recent period, are 

 now, in all probability, extinct. 



