THE PIE KIND. 233 



kind of apoplectic blow, by which they fall from 

 their perches, and for a while seem ready to ex- 

 pire. The other is the growing of the beak, 

 which becomes so very much hooked as to de- 

 prive them of the power of eating. These infir- 

 mities, however, do not hinder them from being 

 long-lived ; for a parrot, well kept, will live five 

 or six-and-twenty years. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



THE PIGEON, AND ITS VARIETIES. 



THIS is one of the birds which, from its great 

 fecundity, we have, in some measure, reclaimed 

 from a state of nature, and taught to live in ha- 

 bits of dependence. Indeed, its fecundity seems 

 to be increased by human cultivation, since those 

 pigeons that live in a wild state, in the woods, 

 are by no means so fruitful as those in our 

 pigeon-houses nearer home. The power of in- 

 crease in most birds depends upon the quantity 

 of their food ; and it is seen, in more than one 

 instance, that man, by supplying food in plenty, 

 and allowing the animal at the same time a pro- 

 per share of freedom, has brought some of those 

 kinds which are known to lay but once a-year, to 

 become much more prolific. 



The tame pigeon, and all its beautiful varieties, 

 derive their origin from one species, the Stock- 



