THE COMMERCIAL VALUE OF BIRDS. 15 



domesticated with the greatest success. It may justly 

 be regarded as the king of table-birds, and takes the 

 place of honour on many a festive board at Christmas- 

 tide. Certain counties have become noted for their 

 breeds of Turkeys, Geese, and Ducks, the rearing of 

 which is an important industry, where much capital 

 and labour are successfully employed. 



Birds of the Pigeon tribe are also noted for the 

 delicacy of their flesh, and in all parts of the world form 

 an important article of food. From the earliest period 

 of recorded time the Pigeon has been domesticated. 

 The endless varieties of dovecot Pigeon have all de- 

 scended from their wild congener the Rock Dove, and 

 are another remarkable instance of what may be done 

 by careful selection and breeding. Great quantities of 

 Pigeons are bred for table purposes, from the monster 

 " Bordeaux " to the little " Blue Rock," and this supply 

 is further augmented by large numbers of wild birds. 

 The largest and commonest of these is the Ring Dove or 

 Wood Pigeon, which frequents most woodland districts in 

 autumn in vast flocks. The Pigeon is highly prized as 

 an article of food in North America, where its numbers 

 are almost past belief the Passenger Pigeon being 

 especially numerous, roaming over the country in count- 

 less hordes. There are upwards of three hundred and 

 fifty species of Pigeons, which are distributed throughout 

 the world, except in the polar regions. Although they 



