422 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
like young Gallinaceans. In this family there are generally two 
young hatched at the same time; and it is a very curious fact 
that there is almost always a male anda female. They do not quit 
the nest till they have acquired sufficient strength to use their wings 
and fly. During the early portion of their existence they receive no 
other nourishment from their parents than a sort of pap secreted in 
the walls of the gullet; but at the end of some days the father or 
mother discharges into the beaks of the young the food which they 
have collected. When sufficiently developed, the offspring travel 
with the adults in large flocks, to seek a milder climate or better 
feeding-ground : their migrations in the natural state occur in spring 
and autumn. What distinguishes them from the true Gallinaceans 
is that they have a thumb inserted even with the other toes, and 
that, consequently, they are able te perch. ‘Their food consists 
principally of seeds, berries, and fruits, sometimes insects, and a 
peculiar little snail similar to that found in the Isleof France. Their 
flesh, generally good, in some species, such as the Crowned Pigeon, 
acquires an exquisite flavour. Thus, whether in the domestic or 
wild state, they occupy an important position in reference to public 
alimentation. Although their bodies are plump, and even present 
some appearance of heaviness, their flight is easy and sustained, so 
that Pigeons have been known to accomplish in a few hours journeys 
of surprising length. 
We will divide the Pigeons into three families—the Colombe 
Gallines, Colombes, and Colombars. 
CoOLOMBI-GALLINES, 
A certain number of birds rank in this family, which, with the 
general forms of Pigeons, still preserve the habits of Gallinaceans ; 
hence the mixed name of Colombi-Gallines. ‘Thus they constantly 
live on the earth, build their nests there, and only take refuge upon 
trees to pass the night or escape from danger. ‘They run perfectly, 
but fly badly, and are sedentary ; lastly, some species have cephalic 
nudities and fleshy appendages, or long, movable feathers round the 
neck, like the male of the Domestic Fowl. Physically they are charac- 
terised by a slight and straight beak and by rather high tarsi. ‘This 
family comprises a very large number of species spread throughout 
Central and South America, the isles of the Indian Ocean, and a 
great part of Africa. The compass of this work will not permit us to 
examine all; we will merely mention the most remarkable, the Crowned 
Pigeon, or Goura (Goura coronata, Fig. 161) very common in New 
