NATURAL HISTORY. 



1 O, ten times faster than Venus' pigeons fly 

 To seal love's bonds new made, than they are wont 

 To keep obliged faith forfeited." SHAKSI-ERE. 



846. A man, who was once 3 pirate, declared that several times while at certain 

 flells dug in the burning shel'/ sands of a well-known bay, the soft and melancholy 

 cry of the wood-pigeons aw &e in his breast feelings which had long slumbered, 

 melted his heart to repentance, and caused him to linger at the spot in a 

 state of mind which he <>nly no compares the wretchedness of guilt with the 

 happiness of former innocence can truly feel. He said he never left the place 

 without increased fears of futurity ; and so deeply was he moved at length by the 

 notes of this bird, that through their influence he was induced to escape from his 

 vessel, abandon his lawless companions, and return to a family deploring his 

 absence. After paying a parting visit to these wells, and listening once more to 

 the voice of the bird, he poured out his soul in supplications for mercy, and once 

 more became an honest man. 



847. Why is the song of the ringed pigeon heard at intervals 

 only of the spring and autumn ? 



Because, except when engaged in constructing its nest, or the 

 process of incubation and the rearing of its young, this bird utters 

 no note : these cares over, it retires to the woods, and is silent 

 until the breeding-time again commences. 



848. Why do pigeons return to the place from which they set 

 out, after having accomplished a long journey ? 



Because these birds are 

 conspicuous for their strong 

 attachment to locality or 

 home. And in training them 

 to carry missives, &c. the 

 bird is tried at easy dis- 

 tances, which are gradually 

 extended until twenty or 

 thirty miles are accom- 

 plished successfully, and 

 when this distance has been 

 attained, the pigeon will 

 travel to, and return from, any spot, however remote. 



849. The following anecdotes will be found to illustrate the wonderful faculty of 

 the carrier pigeon : In the year 1819, an experiment was tried between London 

 uiu Antwerp. Thirty-two pigeons with the word " Antwerp " marked oh their 



