^2 T H E P I G E O N K I N D. 



The fidelity of the turtle-dove is proverbial ; but the pigeon of the 

 dove-houfe is not faithful. Two males often quarrel for the fame 

 miftrefs ; if the female admit the addrefles of a new gallant, her old 

 companion is difpleafed, abftains from her company, or approaches only 

 to chaftife her. There have been inftances when two males, difpleafed 

 "with their refpeftive mates, have exchanged them, and have lived in 

 great harmony with their new companions. 



So prolific is this bird, that near fifteen thoufand may in the fpace of 

 four years be produced from a fingle pair. But the ftock-dove feldom 

 breeds above' twice a year ; ceafing in winter. They feem to have a 

 flronger attachment to their young than thofe who breed fo often. From 

 a fpecies of thefe, thofe pigeons called carriers, are produced. Thefe 

 are eafily diftinguiflied by a broad circle of naked white fkin round their 

 eyes, and by being of a dark blue or blackifh colour. From their at- 

 tachment to their young, thefe birds are employed as carriers. They 

 are firft brought from home, the letter is tied under the bird's wing, and 

 it is let loofe. It afcends direftly into the clouds to an amazing height ; 

 then, direfting itfelf by fome furprifing inftinft towards home, fome- 

 times at many miles diftance, brings its meflagej in the fpace of an 

 hour and a half performing a journey of forty miles. 



The varieties of the pigeon are beyond mention. Hence we have 

 croppers, carriers, jacobines, powters, runts, turbits, and a thoufand 

 other varieties, heightened by food, climate, and pairing, producing 

 diff'erent fpecies. 



The Ring-dove is larger than the former j builds its neft with a few 

 dry (licks, in the boughs of trees, and maintains its native freedom, 

 notwithftanding attempts to render it domeftic ; for, though their eggs 

 have been hatched by the tame pigeon in a dove-houfe, yet, as foon as 

 they could fly, they always betook themfelves to the woods. Tn winter 

 aflemble in great flocks in the woods, and leave off" cooing till March ; 

 neither do they coo in wet weather j is, in fome places, a bird of feafon. 

 The Turtle-dove is fnnaller, and Ihyer, than the formerlj is dif- 

 tinguiflied by the iris, of a fine yellow, and by a beautiful crimfon cir- 

 cle that encompaffes the eye-lids. The fidelity of thefe birds is noted j 

 and a pair being caged, if one dies, the other will not furvive it. Is a, 

 bird of paflage; few or none remain in winter; they come late, andde-, 

 part early. They fly in flocks when they come to breed here in fum-i 

 mer, and delight in open, mountainous, fandy countries. But they 

 build in woods, and choofe the moft retired fltuations. Feed on grain ; 

 are fond of millet. The 



