THE ROCK DOVE. 



835 



fancier's dove-cot, to be complete, must contain several sorts 

 which were first brought' from remote regions : and we 

 know that in Egypt, Phoenicia, and Persia, Pigeons had 

 a mythological importance at an early date. It is said 

 that the Pigeons which have established themselves in 

 various public buildings of contiaental cities, as Saint Mark 

 at Venice, and Pont Neuf at Paris, are exclusively Eock 



"^-iVy ^ 



THE KOCK DOVi 



Pigeons ; and I have seen it stated that they frequent the 

 towers of Canterbury Cathedral; but it is possible that 

 these may be in all cases derived from tame birds escaped 

 from domestication, and resuming, to a certain extent, their 

 wild habits and original plumage. That they resort to 

 ruinous edifices near the sea in retired districts is beyond 

 question, as I have seen them flying about and alighting 



