CHAP, in.] AND DOUBTS. 79 



of investigating the history of domesticated creatures ; 

 and when they are compelled to touch upon the subject, 

 are apt to generalize hastily, and glide through the dif- 

 ferent forms that are presented to them with unsatis- 

 factory rapidity. Mr. Yarrell, however, asserts, like 

 Temminck, without offering the least evidence, " that 

 there appears to be no reason to doubt that the Rock 

 Dove is the species from which our domestic Pigeons 

 were originally derived The numerous and re- 

 markable fancy Pigeons, however first established, are 

 now maintained and perpetuated by selection and re- 

 striction, and some of them are among the most curious 

 of Zoological results. In some instances a remarkable 

 change has been effected in the character of the feather; 

 thus in the Jacobins, more frequently for brevity's sake 

 called Jacks, there is a range of feathers inverted quite 

 over the hinder part of the head, and reaching down on 

 each side of the neck as low as the wings, forming a 

 hood. Another change, equally extraordinary, has been 

 effected in that variety called the Broad-tailed Shakers; 

 the tail-feathers in these birds, all beautifully spread, 

 amount to thirty-six, though the normal number of tail- 

 feathers is but twelve. 



"The changes, however, in some Fancy Pigeons are 

 not confined to the feathers, but modifications in form 

 are effected in the bones. A comparison of the Short- 

 faced Tumbler and the Carrier, exhibits the first-named 

 with a very small round head, and a short, straight, 

 conical beak, not more than half an inch in length, 

 with a proportionally elongated head."* 



It is surprising, if the effects of domestication are 



* British Birds, vol. ii. p. 263. 



