On the domestic Pigeons of Spain. 121 



lour not of the immediate generation but that of the pre- 

 ceding one. 



Third Siil 'division, 



The classes Nos. 1 and 2. are still more productive than 

 No. 2. of the preceding sub-division ; they ho'd, as to their 

 size, the middle place betwixt the Jiamencas and the wild 

 pigeons. 



The calzadas, or the class No. 1, have alone the incon- 

 veniency of their feet often filling with ordure in such a 

 manner that they frequently break their eggs. 



This is all I have to say upon the .division of pigeons. I 

 shall yet add some general remarks upon their education in 

 this country, and upon some peculiarities of their habits. 



General Remarks. 



It is customary in Spain, and particularly in the province 

 ofValentia, to rear a prodigious number of domestic pi- 

 geons. In this latter province a pigeon-house is seen on 

 almost all of the flat-roofed houses. These are little square 

 turrets, of different heights and breadths ; they are generally 

 formed by joining joists together, the interstices of which 

 are filled with rush mats; and the bottom, where the pigeon- 

 holes are, is laid over with small thin squares of stone ware. 

 The fecundity of the pigeons in this country is extraordi- 

 nary. They begin to produce, according to the classes, in 

 the fourth, fifth, or sixth month*; and continue thus until 

 their twelfth, fourteenth, and even until their twentieth 

 year. 



In general, they bring up from 22 to 24 couples of young; 

 They lay two eggs in less than 24 hours. In spring and in 

 summer they only sit 15 or ] 6 days; in autumn arjd in 

 winter, 20 or 21 days. This great vigour and activity of 

 production musj necessarily be attributed to the mildness of 

 the climate, and to the choice and abundant nourishment. 

 However, the neatness and good situation of the pigeon- 

 houses have also a very great influence. 



• In winter they begin a month later. Sometimes, but seldom, the palomas 

 padcx commence in th,c third month. — Note of the French Editor. 



What 



