CHAPTER XIV 



Some Adaptable Foreign Varieties — Structure and 



Mode of Flight — Process of Netting 



the Aduit Birds 



WE now shall sketch briefly some foreign varieties 

 of pigeons that have been, more or less, domesti- 

 cated and some of them changed by the process of selec- 

 tive breeding and admixture of the original stocks, thus 

 creating strains that seem adapted to the desires of 

 fanciers and those who consider utility for special 

 purposes. These original species are considered adapt- 

 able varieties, as well as some American pigeons. The 

 Stock-Dove, (Columba oenas), is about fourteen 

 inches long and excellent for food. It makes its nests 

 in stocks and stumps of trees and is common in many 

 parts of the eastern hemisphere, although a European 

 bird. The head, neck, back and wing coverts are 

 bluish-gray ; chin and sides of the neck being glossed 

 with green, and the breast is purplish-red; the throat 

 is wine-color, giving this bird the specific name 

 "oenas;" the under surface is gray, of several tones, 

 with white outer webs ; the beak is deep orange, eyes 

 are scarlet and the legs and toes are red. 



The Wood-Pigeon, (Columba palumbus), is about 

 seventeen inches long and is known by a variety of 

 names in Europe, such as Cushat, Quist, Wood-guest 

 and also Ring-dove, owing to feathers of its neck, tip- 



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