CHAP. i.J EARLIEST HISTOEY. 



destined for homely uses there is so much that is lovely 

 and pleasing, that we often spare their lives in order to 

 continue a little longer to admire their beauty and 

 protect their gentleness. Each in its kind has its own 

 special grace : there is the decorous Nun, the gro- 

 tesquely-strutting Powter, the comely Turbit, the gay 

 and frisky Tumbler, the stately Swan-like Fantail. In 

 any account of so varied and yet so closely related a 

 family, it will clearly be advisable to endeavour to pro- 

 duce something like a historic sketch, before proceeding 

 to details respecting either distinct species or their 

 supposed varieties. 



The first mention of Pigeons to be met with is found 

 in the Holy Scriptures. 



" And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that 

 Noah opened the window of the ark which he had 

 made. And he sent forth a raven, which went to and 

 fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. 

 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters 

 were abated from off the face of the ground. But the dove 

 found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned 

 unto him into the ark ; for the waters were upon the 

 face of the whole earth. Then he put forth his hand, 

 and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. 

 And he stayed yet other seven days, and again he sent 

 forth the dove out of the ark. And the dove came in 

 to him in the evening, and lo, in her mouth was an 

 olive-leaf plucked off. So Noah knew that the waters 

 were abated from off the earth. And he stayed yet 

 other seven days, and sent forth the dove ; which 

 returned not again unto him any more."* 



* Genesis viii. 6-12. 



