154 BISET OR WILD ROCK-PIGEON. 



To describe or particularize all the varieties cul- 

 tivated by pigeon fanciers, would require a volume 

 of itself; as, in addition to the permanent races, or 

 those which, when kept pure, transmit their likeness 

 to their offspring, there are intermediate forms, pro- 

 duced by particular crosses between individuals be- 

 longing to the different varieties, which, though high- 

 ly prized in the first generation, are not considered 

 worthy of further cultivation, as their produce can- 

 not be depended upon, but is found to degenerate, 

 and liable to run into still more distant and less 

 valued varieties. We must therefore confine our 

 remarks to a few observations upon the mode of 

 treatment, and the means adopted to perpetuate and 

 keep pure such races or varieties as are held in the 

 highest estimation by the amateur, and then present 

 our readers with the figures and description of three 

 or four of the most remarkable deviations from the 

 original type of the species. 



Domestic or fancy pigeons are generally kept con- 

 fined in aviaries, or lodged in appropriate buildings 

 attached to or near the house of the breeder, in or- 

 der that they may be regularly and easily fed, cleans- 

 ed, and duly attended to in all matters having refer- 

 ence to their condition and health ; for their natural 

 instinct and their feeling of liberty have been so 

 nearly effaced, or placed in abeyance by the capti- 

 vity to which they have been subjected for so many 

 generations, that they have become nearly depend- 



