COLUMBIDZ. 303 
from which all our numerous varieties of tame and 
partially tame Pigeons derive their origin. How 
such an almost endless number of varieties have 
been developed from this one species I must leave to 
Mr. Darwin to explain. There is one great point of 
similarity of habit between our common domestic 
Pigeons and their common ancestor, the Rock Dove, 
namely, their dislike to perching in trees. I do not 
mean to say that neither of them ever do so, but that 
it is a very rare occurrence: as for the common 
Pigeons I can answer for them that they very 
seldom perch in trees, as I have not only a good 
many Pigeons myself, but most of those in the parish 
pay me a visit every morning, when I am feeding 
the Wild Ducks and Gulls, to participate in the 
scramble; but although the place is quite sur- 
rounded with trees, the Pigeons always take up 
their position on the chimneys, the ridge of the roof 
or the coping of the house, or on the iron railings 
(on which they never have any objection to perch), 
and on these places they may be seen all day; but 
only three or four times in my life have I seen them 
on the trees. Any one who keeps Pigeons, or has 
them kept near him, may easily remark this pecu- 
liarity for himself, and see how widely the tame 
Pigeons differ in this respect from the Wood Pigeon, 
the Stock Dove and the Turtle Dove, all of which 
both perch and roost in trees. There is also a 
peculiarity of plumage which has struck me, and 
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