94 SYNONYMES OF RUNTS. [CHAP. iv. 



The contrast of weight is remarkable : but the point 

 respecting Runts which most deserves the notice of 

 speculative naturalists, is their extreme antiquity. The 

 notices of them in Pliny, and other nearly contemporary 

 writers, are but modern records; for Dr. Buckland 

 enumerates the bones of the Pigeon among the remains 

 in the cave at Kirkdale, and figures a bone which he 

 says approaches closely to the Spanish Runt, which is 

 one of the largest of the Pigeon tribe. Ever since the 

 classic period these birds have been celebrated among 

 the poultry produce of the shores of the Mediterranean. 



" The greater tame Pigeon, called in Italian, Tronfo 

 and Asturnellato ; in English, a Hunt ; a name (as I 

 suppose) corrupted from the Italian Tronfo : though, to 

 say the truth, what this Italian word Tronfo signifies, 

 and consequently why this kind of Pigeon is so called, 

 I am altogether ignorant. Some call them Columba 

 Russicce, Russia-Pigeons, whether because they are 

 brought to us out of Russia, or from some agreement of 

 the names Runt and Russia, I know not. These seem 

 to be the Campania Pigeons of Pliny. They vary much 

 in colour, as most other domestic birds : wherefore it 

 is to no purpose to describe them by their colours,"* 



Their name of Russia- Pig eons, I can in part explain. 

 The Runts in my possession were purchased at Great 

 Yarmouth, as " Russian Carriers" admirable letter- 

 carriers they would be, when they can hardly carry 

 themselves through the air ! But they came by their 

 title thus : Vessels from Yarmouth go laden with red 

 herrings to the Mediterranean and the Levant, and 

 having exchanged their cargoes there for fruits, oil, 



* Willughby, p. 181. 



