COLOMBI-GALLINES. 447 



same time; and it is a very curious fact that there is almost always 

 a male and a female. They do not quit the nest till they have 

 acquired sufficient strength to use their wings and fly. During 

 the earliest portion of their existence they receive no other nourish- 

 ment from their parents than a sort of pap secreted in the walls 

 of the gullet ; but at the end of some days the father or mother 

 discharges into their beaks the food which they themselves take. 

 When they are sufficiently developed, they travel with the adults 

 in large flocks to seek a milder climate or better feeding ground : 

 their migrations in the natural state occur in spring and autumn. 

 "What distinguishes them from the true Gallinaceans is that 

 they have a thumb inserted even with the other toes, and that 

 consequently they are able to perch ; almost all Pigeons pass much 

 of their lives on trees. Their food consists principally of seeds, 

 berries, and fruits, sometimes insects, and a peculiar little snail 

 similar to that found in the Isle of France. Their flesh, gene- 

 rally good, in some species, such as the Crowned Goura, acquires 

 an exquisite flavour. Thus they form an immense part in 

 public alimentation, both in a domestic and wild state. They 

 are shot very extensively at the time of their migration. 

 Although their flight is noisy, and even presents some appearance 

 of heaviness, it is easy and sustained, so that Pigeons have 

 been known to accomplish journeys of surprising length in a 

 few hours. 



We will divide the Pigeons into three families the Colombi- 

 GallineSy the Colombes, or, properly speaking, Pigeons, and 

 the Colombars. 



COLOMBI- G ALLTXES. 



A certain number of birds rank in this family, which, with the 

 general forms of Pigeons, still preserve the habits of Gallinaceans ; 

 hence the mixed name of Colombi- Gallines. Thus they constantly 

 live on the earth, build their nests there, and only take refuge 

 upon trees to pass the night or escape from danger. They run 

 perfectly, but fly badly, and are sedentary ; lastly, some species 

 have cephalic nudities and fleshy appendages, or long, movable 

 feathers round the neck like the male of the Domestic Fowl. 

 Physically they are characterised by a slight and straight beak, 



