102 PIGEONS. 



specimens, it is scarcely possible to obtain one entirely free 

 from foul feathers. Smallness of head and beak, a pearl eye, 

 and largeness of veil, are desirable properties in this bird. 



THE HELMET. 



This varie.y is a somewhat larger bird than the nun. Its 

 head, tail, and flight are mostly of one color, either yellow, 

 blue, or black tint, and the other parts of the body are generally 

 white; its head bears a delicate tuft of feathers, differing in 

 color from the body, and in form like a helmet. It is a pretty 

 bird, but is not a fine flyer. It is most useful as a nurse. 



To the varieties already enumerated, I might add several 

 others, as the " owl," the " ruff," the " spot," the " lace," the 

 " finnikin," and the " Friezland runt;" but these breeds are not 

 common, nor are they generally held of much account. As 

 for the French, Leghorn and the Spanish " runts," they are not 

 to be placed among the fancy varieties, being remarkable 

 merely for their size, and are appopriate for the dove cot. 



FOOD. 



In a state of nature, the rock dove feeds on grain and seeds 

 of various kinds, as well as on vegetables. According to 

 Montagu, it also devours some kinds of snails, and is particu- 

 larly fond of the Helix virgata. 



In a state of confinement or familiarisation, these birds are 

 fond of almost every kind of grain, but old tares are found, by 

 experience, to be the best for them ; horse beans, particularly 

 the smaller sorts, as small ticks, are considered next to tares in 

 point of nutritive properties; oats, barley, wheat, and peas, 

 may be given occasionally, and will be found wholesome 

 varieties of diet. Pigeons are very fond of rape, hemp and 

 Canary seeds, which, however, should only be given occasion- 

 ally ; and new tares should especially be given to young birds 

 very sparingly. Many fanciers make a composition of salt, 



