234 THE PIGEON". 



to its young appears infinitely stronger than that which 

 the pigeon ever displays. It is from the species of the 

 stock-dove that those pigeons which are called carriers, 

 and which are used for the purpose of conveying let- 

 ters, are produced : these are distinguished from all 

 others by a naked white skin that encircles their eyes, 

 and by being of a dark blue or blackish cast. It is from 

 their attachment to their native place, (and particularly 

 where they have brought up their young,) that these 

 birds are employed in several countries as the most ex- 

 peditious carriers in the world ; for they have been 

 known to perform a journey of forty miles in the space 

 of an hour and half. The letters are fastened under 

 the bird's wing, and the little creature appears instantly 

 to ascend into the clouds : they fly to a height that 

 seems inconceivable, and which but few of the fea- 

 thered creation are able to attain. 



The varieties of the tame pigeon are so numerous, 

 that it would be a vain attempt to endeavour to men- 

 tion them all ; but the pigeon-fanciers are able to match 

 the pairs so well together, that they can produce the 

 young of whatever colour they please. The names by 

 which the different breeds are distinguished arc croppers, 

 carriers, jacobins, powters, runts, and turbits. There 

 are many species of the wild pigeon, which, though 

 bearing a strong affinity to the stock^dove, are never- 

 theless sufficiently different to deserve being distinctly 

 named : of this number is the ring-dove, which is in- 

 finitely larger in size, and has never been able to be 

 rendered tame. The turtle-dove is a much smaller bird, 

 and may be known by the yellow tint of the eye, and 

 by its being surrounded with a circle of bright crimson. 

 The fidelity of these birds is so great, that if a pair are 

 put in a cage, and one dies, the other soon pines away 

 with grief. 



