THE PIGEON. 



The Columbidae, or family of the pigeon, are very 

 extensively distributed through the earth, being found in 

 all climates, except within the frigid zones. It is, how- 

 ever, in the tropical climes of Southern Asia, and the 

 islands of the great Indian Archipelago, that they sw arm 

 in the greatest abundance and variety, because there a 

 large supply of food, adapted to each kind, is always to 

 be found. In these parts of the earth, most of the 

 thick-billed pigeons, that vie with the parrots in the co- 

 lour of their plumage, luxuriate amidst the thick foliage 

 of the banyan and other trees, from which they obtain 

 a rich and never-failing repast. 



The dove is universally admitted to be a beautiful 

 object. The splendour of its eye, the innocence of its 

 look, the sweetness of its disposition, and the purity of 

 its manners, have made it, in every age, the theme of 

 admiration and praise. It is evident, from the Scrip- 

 tures, that Syria abounded with doves, and the allusions 



