(3) ORDER GEMITORES (Pigeons). 
In introducing this family for your earnest and thoughtful con- 
sideration we need not trouble over controversial grounds, which 
have presented many dittculties to Ornithologists, to ascertain the 
proper place, of these birds in the divisions or orders into which 
Nature has more or less distinetly divided up the different classes 
of birds. We are accustomed, generally, to find them among 
Gallinacee (Game-birds). Somewhat artificial groupings present 
many difficulties. We will content ourselves, for two or three excel- 
lent reasons for accepting the position of Gemitores ; Pigeons and 
Doves, at the end of Jncessores, a sort of Sub-order of its own. If 
you look at, construction of the feet, you will notice that all the toes, 
are on the same plane, that is to say they are decidedly perching 
birds, in the same sense as Jnsessores. I have avoided throughout 
this work anatomic construction of birds, as the chief object of our 
enquiry is to enable us to get on more familiar terms with birds in 
their natural surroundings. The next draw back, in placing these 
birds among Gallinucee is the fact that their young ones enter this 
world in a callow state, which disqualifies them not a little from true 
Game-birds. The last point I should ask you to observe is construc- 
tion of bill, which we shall cousider when dealing with the various 
genera. Nevertheless, our chief desire being to make the acquain- 
tance of birds in their wild state, any aid we can glean from Oruitho- 
logy cannot lightly be dispensed with. Gemitores, or’ Columba, as 
some cal] this group, is an order well marked out by nature, and 
known to all, that a descriptive note is unnecessary to enable one, 
to separate pigeons aud doves from the rest’ of Insessores Their 
typical forms and quiet habits generally, are popularly known. Their 
short, straight compressed bills are, usually, arched at the apex, in a 
way peculiar to this group. Though we find ourselves on the con- 
fines of the largest and most interesting Natural Order of birds—the 
Insessores, nevertheless, here, we are treading on the heels of Rasores. 
In many respects these birds remind us of game-birds, which show 
our hear approach to this group. You will probably have noticed 
the soft fleshy membrane onthe sides, near the nostrils. Face is 
well plumed ; wings, in most of the genera are long and pointed ; 
tail consisting of 12 or 14 feathers, 16 in a few; tarsi short and 
strong, covered with small roundish scutella ; legs feathered to the 
