444 



THE ROCK-DOVE. 



is marked with several shades of gray, and the abdomen is soft pearly-gray ; the beak is warm 

 orange, and the eyes topaz-yellow. It is a larger bird than the preceding species, being about 

 seventeen inches in length. 



THE many varieties of size, form, and color afford an excellent example of the wonderful 

 variations of which animals are susceptible under certain circumstances. Different as are the 

 DOMESTIC PIGEONS, they all are modifications of the common BLUE ROCK-PIGEON, and if per- 

 mitted to mix freely with each other, display an inveterate tendency to return to the original 

 form, with its simple plumage of black bars across the wing, just as the finest breeds of lop- 

 eared rabbits will now and then produce upright-eared young. 



BLUE HOCK-PIGEON.- Colvmba livia. 



The Rock-Dove derives its popular name from its habit of frequenting rocks rather than 

 trees, an idiosyncracy which is so inherent in its progeny, that even the domestic Pigeons, 

 which have not seen anything except their wooden cotes for a long series of generations, will, 

 if they escape, take to rocks or buildings, and never trouble themselves about trees, though 

 they should be at hand. Some years ago, one of my friends lost all his Pigeons, by their 

 gradual desertion of the loft in which they and their progenitors had been born, in favor of a 

 tower, where they finally took up their residence in amiable proximity to multidinous jack- 

 daws, and several owls, and may be seen hovering about the towers, but always remaining 

 near its summit. 



This species seems to have a very considerable geographical range, for it is common over 

 most parts of Europe, Northern Africa, the coasts of the Mediterranean, and has even been 

 found in Japan. 



As a general rule, any one who wants Pigeons about his house, and is not particular about 

 the breed, can obtain them without the least trouble, by getting a good cote put up on his 

 premises, and painting it white. The Pigeons are sure to be attracted by the glittering object, 

 and will take possession of it spontaneously. I think that in many cases the cotes are deserted 

 by the birds because they are left so long uncleansed, and are made on too small a scale. 

 Among rocks or ruins, cleanliness is no such great matter, because there is plenty of air, and 



