THE COLUMBINE, OR KGEON GROUP. 143 



direct from an elevation rapidly attained, it 

 could not have been much below the ratio of 

 a hundred and forty or fifty miles an hour. 

 This was, indeed, an extraordinary instance of 

 speed, to which we do not know a parallel, 

 unless Montagu be correct, who estimates the 

 flight of the Peregrine falcon, when pursuing 

 its quarry, at the rate of one hundred and fifty 

 miles an hour. 



The Dragoon, or Dragon. — This variety 

 presents, in an inferior degree, the characters 

 of the carrier, and appears to be a cross breed 

 between that variety, and the tumbler or ordi- 

 nary dove-cote runt. It is smaller and lighter 

 in contour than the carrier, with the carun- 

 culated skin at the base of the beak and 

 around the eyes less developed, but with the 

 general figure similar. It is a bird of great 

 powers of flight, but though rapid for short 

 distances, it wants the power of muscular 

 endurance requisite for the swift accompUsh- 

 ment of very long journeys. 



The Pouter. — This large pigeon, formerly 

 highly valued by fanciers, and bred with much 

 care, and no little expense, is originally the 

 product of a cross between the dragoon and 

 the old Dutch cropper, so called from the 



