OF THE DOMESTIC PIGEON. 239 



culture the following valuable observations, directions, 

 &C-. : 



" Of the pigeon (Columba, L.), there are three species, 

 and many varieties in cultivation. The species are, the 

 common, ring, and turtle-doves, all natives of Britain. 

 The varieties of the common pigeon, enumerated by 

 Linnaeus, amount to twenty-one ; but those of the pigeon 

 fanciers to more than double that number. The ring- 

 dove (O. palumbus, L.), and the turtle-dove (C. turtur), 

 with the greater number of the varieties, are cultivated 

 only by a few persons known as pigeon fanciers ; but 

 the common pigeon, of different colours, is cultivated 

 for the table. The flesh of the young pigeon is very 

 savoury and stimulating, and highly valued for pies; 

 that of the full aged pigeon is more substantial, harder 

 of digestion, and in a considerable degree heating. 

 Black or dark feathered pigeons are dark fleshed, and 

 of high flavour, inclining to the game bitter of the 

 wild pigeon. Light coloured feathers denote light and 

 delicate flesh. The dung of pigeons is used forjian,- 

 ning upper leathers for shoes ; it is also an excellent 

 manure. Pigeons are now much less cultivated than 

 formerly, being found injurious to corn fields, and espe- 

 cially to fields of peas. They are, however, very orna- 

 mental ; a few may be kept by most farmers, and fed 



