INTlaim 



are graphically pictured i n ,| 1( . ,.,,i,, rs ((f ,| 1( . thoroughly ,, ,,.],,,,, | ,1,,,,,. 

 pigeon, and even in some ,,f the so-called "pure" breeds, described u "mottl. 

 mealy, "grizzled," "splashed." "epangted," "well-broken," > 



It would seem to he obvious that /;/;//// of stock is the \\r>\ e-enti;d for elirni- 

 natmg Reliance" phenomena. Purity is n,,t t., be found in do, n , 

 nor yet in wild species that show intermingled forms. The term- "pui 

 "constant," as used hy breeders, mean nothing more than a d< uniformity 



capable of being artificially maintained by careful selection and matin- 

 best almond tumbler, for example, according to Fulton p. |.V, j|| only remain 

 what it should be for at most two seasons." 



The purity requisite for scientific purposes is the >elf-u-t;iinin-: purity found 

 only in unmixed natural species, such as are represented in large number- an. I 

 convenient forms in the wild pigeons. Over -!.")( ) distinct speciea an /.-<\ 



in Salvadori's "Catalogue of Birds in the British Museum." In this ! .,,,. 



undoubtedly arising from a single root and having much apparent h. ity. 



the species are remarkably distinct, even in nearly allied forms. Sometime- t\\o 

 species are so nearly alike in size, form, and color that they appe . to the 



trained eye. to be one and the same. When the two are brought together in life, 

 fairly sharp distinctions are quickly detected in the voice, proportion... color, and 

 behavior, and crosses give hybrids that demonstrate specific di.-tinc- The 



wild ring-dove of Japan and China (Slrcplopclni ton/until*) 1 ' and the caiie ri: 

 (Streptopelia riwria} are two such species. As St. nW/V/ is not known in a wild 

 state and is probably of African origin, and as St. ton/untiix enj< graphic 



isolation from it and its nearest relatives, it is safe to conclude that the two sped,.* 

 are pure with respect to each other, and their purity as reiianl- other >onn-. 

 not open to doubt. The hybrids from these two species are intermediates, but 

 incline somewhat towards torquatus, as is particularly manifest invoice and color. 



Although Si. torqiiatio* appears to be somewhat prepotent in i .\ith Si. 



risoria. its superiority does not reach exclusive dominance in a single turntable 

 character. Mendelian dominance does not exist, and the law that fails in the : 

 generation of course can not hold in the second. Dominamr. *<> fur us ///// //' 

 rations go, is a thing of many dcyrccx, and i* far from r<'/>ns<nti>i<i u natural i 

 Even allowing that it is a rigid rule in one or a few species, that would not i 

 it to the rank of a law, if the test of a law is universal application. 



In crossing the wild passenger-pigeon (AY/o/xWcx niii/ratarin.^ with the . 

 ring-dove (St. risoria), the hybrids have so far been invariably remarkal 1 

 intermediates, and without exception sterile males. If this rule should hold in 

 experiments continued for a hundred years, it would still have no claim to beini: 

 a general law. At most it would only be a proved rule for a particular cro>s; j n 

 another cross the blending may be only partial, both sexes may appear, and one 

 or both be fertile. The rule would be broken in every point, and obviously two 

 contradictory rules do not make one valid law. The regularity which we may 

 discover in individual cases, no matter with what detail, accuracy, and con-tancy 

 fulfilled, rises to the dignity of law only when referred to causes or pr- 

 general nature. 



3 Fulton's Book of Pigeons, I^omlon, 



8 Streptopdia douraca was later used as the proper name of tho oriental rinn-d.'-. :TIR. 



