RASORES. 371 



nearest approach to the Mammal tribes : hence the term " pig. 

 eon's milk." 



The beak in the Pigeons is of moderate length, and swollen 

 towards the tip, which is curved downwards; the wings vary in 

 length and in adaptation to powerful flight ; the feet have three 

 divided toes in front, and a single one behind. The structure 

 of the feet varies, however, in different genera. 



In the WOOD-PIGEONS, (Columba,) of North America and the 

 Eastern Continent, the outer and inner toes in front are equal. 



In the GREEN PIGEONS, (Ptilinopus, Gr. feather- footed,) of 

 Australia and the East Indian Islands ; and the AROMATIC VJN- 

 AGOS, ( Vinago,) of inter-tropical Asia and Africa, a group which 

 includes the Thick-billed species of those countries, the inner 

 toe is much shorter than the outer, so that they are more fitted 

 for grasping than walking ; but this proportion is reversed in the 

 PASSENGER PIGEON, genus Ectopistes, (Gr. ektopizo, to migrate.) 

 In the genus Peristera, (Gr. for dove,) which comprises the 

 beautiful BRONZE- WINGED PIGEONS, of Australia, and the GROUND 

 PIGEONS of this continent, the tarsi are higher, the hind toe 

 shorter, and the inner toe is the longest. 



The Pigeons generally nestle in trees and in the holes of rocks, 

 laying but few eggs at a time, but breeding very often, so that 

 their increase is very rapid. The prevailing hues of the plum- 

 age in the typical genus, Columba, are various shades of blue 

 and gray, merging, sometimes, into purple, and at others, into 

 white. Many of this family exhibit metallic reflections of great 

 beauty, mostly confined to particular parts, especially the neck. 

 The countenance in these birds is meek and gentle in its express- 

 ion ; the. eye, large, liquid and engaging. The voice has a soft 

 and mournful character; it is known by the term cooing. 



The ROCK-PIGEON, C. livia, (Lat. livid,) in its wild state widely 

 distributed, is the original stock of the COMMON, or DOVE-COTE 

 PIGEON, and most of the curious varieties which are fostered by 

 "pigeon breeders." Among the varieties are the TUMBLERS, so 

 called from their singular habit of falling backwards when on 

 the wing ; the POUTERS, or CROPPERS, so named from their in- 

 flated crops, of which they seem exceedingly vain, and which 

 they are enabled to fill so full of air that the head is almost hid- 

 den behind it; the CARRIERS, or Messenger Pigeons, trained to 

 carry letters fastened under their wings or to their feet, cele- 

 brated in the verse of Anacreon, (ODE, eis peristeran, to the pig- 

 eon.) Victors in the games of ancient Greece sometimes em- 

 ployed these birds to announce their success ; the Crusaders used 

 them; they figure in Tasso's "Jerusalem Delivered," who sings 



