l8o DOMESTICATED ANIMALS 



they were not accustomed to do in their wild state. Some- 

 thing of the same elasticity of constitution may be observed 

 in the bodies of our pigeons as they have been affected by 

 selection. Not only has the plumage been greatly altered 

 by the breeder's art and in pursuance of his plans, but the 

 form and proportions of the bones have coincidently and 

 unintentionally been greatly changed. So considerable are 

 these alterations that if these creatures were submitted for 

 dissection to a naturalist who knew nothing of the history 

 of the bird, he would have no hesitation in classing them as 

 belono-ino- not only in different species, but as members of 

 diverse genera. 



It must be regarded as unfortunate that the experiments 

 which have been made on pigeons have been limited to their 

 features of form, color, and slight peculiarities in their habits. 

 If the breeders had sought to modify the intellectual parts 

 with anything like the insistence which they have given to 

 the development of these bodily peculiarities, we might now 

 have a most valuable store of knowledge as to the limitations 

 of animal minds. The facts gained in the breeding of the 

 carriers show clearly that certain of the instincts of these 

 birds can be readily modified. There is every reason to 

 suppose that their mental capacities in other directions have 

 something of the same pliability. 



Although the pigeon is the only free-flying form which has 

 been won to intimate relations with man, there are numer- 

 ous other species of these volant creatures which have been 

 reduced to partial domestication, though they cannot be 

 trusted to abide with us without being more or less completely 

 caged. Experience has shown that by far the greater part of 

 the arboreal birds may be kept and will breed in captivity. 



