BIRDS. 200 



bird's breast seems bigger than its body. Tlie peculiar mecliaii- 

 ism of this part is not well known ; but the necessity for it in 

 tlu'se animals is pretty obvious. The pigeon, as we all know, 

 lives entirely upon grain and water: these are mixed together in 

 the crop ; and in the ordinary way are digested in proportion a? 

 the bird lays in its provision. But to feed its young, which are 

 very voracious, it is necessary to lay in a store greater than or- 

 dinary and to give the food a kind of half maceration, to suit 

 their tender appetites. The heat of the bird's body, assisted by 

 air, and numerous glands separating a milky fluid, are the most 

 necessary instruments for this operation : but, in proportion as 

 the food macerates, it begins to swell also ; and the crop must, 

 of consequence, be considerably dilated. Still, however, the air 

 which is contained in it gives the bird a power of contracting it 

 at pleasure ; for if it were filled with more solid substances, 

 the bird could have no power to compress it. But this is not 

 the case, the bird can compress its crop at pleasure ; and driving 

 out the air, can thus drive out the food also, which is forced up 

 the gullet, like a pellet from a pop-gun. The young ones, 

 open-mouthed, receive this tribute of affection, and are thus fed 

 three times a-day. In feeding, the male usually supplies the 

 young female, while the old female supplies the young of the op- 

 posite sex. The food with which they are supplied, is more 

 macerated at the beginning; but as they grow older, the parents 

 give it less preparation, and at last drive them out to shift for 

 themselves. When well fed, however, the old ones do not wait 

 for the total dismission of their young ; but in the same nest are 

 to be found young ones almost fit for flight, and eggs hatching 

 at the same time. 



The fidelity of the turtle-dove is proverbial, and makes the 

 usual comparison of such poets as are content to repeat what 

 others have said before them ; but the pigeon of the dove-house 

 is not so faithful ; and having been subjected to man, it puts on 

 licentiousness among its other domestic habits. Two males are 

 olten seen quarrelling for the same mistress ; and when the fe 

 male admits the addresses of a new gallant, her old companion 

 seems to bear the contempt with some marks of displeasure, al)- 

 staining from her company ; or if he approaches, it is only to 

 chastise her. There have been instances when two males, being 

 displeased with their respective mates, have thought proper lo 



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