]^atural State. I7l 



SECTION XII. 



Pigeons, 



^The Pigeon is recorded as one of the 

 most ancient inhabitants of all climates, 

 those excepted in the vicinity of the poles ; 

 it prospers abundantly in temperate regior^s, 

 but in a still higher degree under the burn- 

 ing sun of the tropics, no heat being too 

 ardent for its natural constitution. Tfe€ 

 wild pigeons of cold countries, are said to 

 emigrate towards the south, on the ap- 

 proach of the winter. Pigeons exhibit a 

 satisfactory proof of the superiority of the 

 civilized, over the savage or mere natural 

 state, in their multitudinous increase aiul 

 endless varieties, in a state of domestica- 

 tion, under the fostering care and all-subdu- 

 ing art of man. From their peculiar beau- 

 ty and innocence, they have always ranked 



i2 



