90 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



the typical pigeons, is powerful and rapid, the wings 

 being fully developed, and often acuminate ; and the 

 pectoral muscles strong, and calculated to support 

 it for a long continuance without fatigue. As the 

 species depart from the typical form, and approach 

 nearer to the true Rasores in their form and habits, 

 these members become shorter and rounded, and, 

 when expanded, rather concave beneath, like those 

 of the common partridge. In these groups, the 

 flight is abrupt, and at a low elevation, and can only 

 be supported for a short time. This deficiency of 

 flight, however, is in a great degree compensated 

 by the increased length of their legs, which enables 

 them to run with great rapidity upon the surface of 

 the ground. 



In disposition the Columbidse are wild and timo- 

 rous, and with the exception of the common pigeon 

 and ringed turtle, the attempts to reclaim or domes- 

 ticate other species have hitherto failed. In regard 

 to the first mentioned kind, it may be observed, 

 that its peculiar habits and economy appear to have 

 been taken advantage of from the remotest period, 

 for besides the interesting mention made of it in the 

 earlier pages of the sacred volume, when it was sent 

 forth as a messenger from the ark, and returned the 

 harbinger of glad tidings, bearing the olive branch of 

 peace in its mouth, we afterwards find it and the 

 turtle enumerated among the sacrificial offerings and 

 atonements under the Mosaical dispensation. Among 

 the heathen nations, from the affection exhibited 



