BIRDS OF THE FARM AND THE FARM-YARD. 307 



THE DOVE. 



It is a matter of curiosity among naturalists that Doves 

 and Pigeons, which are active and powerful on the wing 

 beyond any known species; should have submitted so 

 readily to domestication. Their power of wing and con- 

 sequent capacity of providing food for themselves at great 

 distances from their habitations must render them quite 

 independent of any necessity of resorting to man's pro- 

 tection, like the gallinaceous birds. Yet they have prob- 

 ably been domesticated, like the common fowl, from im- 

 memorial time. The Dove is a bird which has been 

 sacred in all ages as an emblem of constancy, while 

 hardly a gallinaceous bird could be named that does not 

 in its moral habits represent the political theory of free 

 love. Ornithologists have lately removed the Dove into 

 a separate family, reclassing it as distinct from all other 

 birds. Doves are, in a wild state, very powerful on the 

 wing; but, having small feet and legs, they are awkward 

 and feeble walkers. The Goose is said to fly to a greater 

 height than any other bird; but none can equal wild 

 Pigeons in swiftness. This power of flight is of great 

 service to them when foraging ; for they can have a roost 

 in Virginia and sally forth in any direction fifty miles 

 to obtain a breakfast, and return sooner than the steam- 

 cars could perform the journey in one direction. 



The Dove, the most amiable of birds, consecrated to 

 some of the kindest virtues of the human soul, dedicated 

 in ancient times to Venus, whose chariot was drawn by 

 two Doves, like a sweet maiden who neither flaunts 

 nor glitters, but gains admiration solely by her innocence 

 and her beauty, is very properly considered the symbol 

 of purity and holiness. Holy Spirit and Heavenly Dove 

 are, in the poetry of Christianity, synonymous expres- 

 sions. The Dove, in Biblical Fable, that was sent out 



