THE PIGEON COLUMBA. 

 C. Coronata. 



PLATE VII. THE GREAT CROWNED PIGEON. 



THE PIGEONS, which were included by Linnaeus in 

 the single genus Columba, have recently been arranged 

 under several genera, and by some ornithologists have even 

 been formed into a separate order. The position of this 

 group has been a subject of much dispute, some referring it 

 to the Gallinaceous order, others to the Passerine to 

 both of which it in fact presents affinities. Cuvier places 

 the Pigeons at the end of the Gallinaceous birds, and 

 considers them as forming only a single genus, which may 

 be divided into three sub-genera the Columbi-Gallina ; 

 Columbce, or common Pigeon, including Turtles ; and the 

 Vinagines, or thick-billed Pigeon- 



The Pigeon is found in every quarter of the globe, from 

 the southern boundary of ice, to the confines of the Arctic 

 Circle. The general structure of the bill and feet being 

 in all exceedingly characteristic, they form a well-marked 

 family ; and though separated into several sections and 

 sub-genera, yet they all have such an affinity of form, 

 MS not easily to be mistaken. Their sizes are exceedingly 

 various. The Goura, or Crowned Pigeon, given in the 

 plate, measures about twenty-eight inches in length ; while 

 the Ground Dove is not larger than a Sparrow, being only 

 six inches and a half from the furthest extremity of the bill 

 to the point of the tail. 



The Domestic Pigeon and Ring Turtle Dove have been 

 known to mankind from the remotest period of history, 

 and are both frequently alluded to in the Sacred Writings. 



