96 HUNTS THEIR PECULIARITIES. [CHAP. iv. 



townsman or townswoman. But they come from Rus- 

 sia ; and therefore, Russian they are called. From Alex- 

 andria is usually obtained alarge feather-footed bird, much 

 resembling, if not identical with, the Trumpeter. These 

 are often styled Muscovy Pigeons. This summer I pur- 

 chased in Great Yarmouth, of my thoroughly honest 

 friend, Jack Hall, a pair of birds which were allowed to 

 retain their name of Egyptian Pigeons. The vessel, on 

 board which they were cruising, was wrecked in the 

 Roads, and the crew and passengers, including four 

 pairs of Pigeons, all saved. They were Runts of the 

 second degree of magnitude, cinnamon coloured, with a 

 slight vinous under tint. 



These Pigeons vary in colour ; also in having feet 

 feathered or not ; and somewhat in bulk ; but the limits 

 of their variations are not hard for the experienced eye 

 to detect, though not easy to describe. Fulness of the 

 cere at the base of the bill, terrestrial habits of life, and 

 plumpness and inactivity of body, are among their prin- 

 cipal characteristics. Their prevailing colours are shades 

 of brown, light slate colour, and white. Their cooing 

 is less distinct than in other breeds, having a sort of 

 muffled sound. They tremble when excited, though not 

 so much as the Fantails. " Spanish Runt," " Leghorn 

 Runt," are both names which indicate their Mediterra- 

 nean home. Many travellers in Italy have noticed, with 

 retrospective relish, the size and flavour of these excel- 

 lent birds. We remember once at Montefiascone having 

 complained (not very angrily) of a dinner-bill, which 

 seemed to amount to more pauls than might have been 

 expected in the not too stylish Albergho of that not too 

 important town ; but we were met by the unanswerable 

 reply from the handsome padrona, " Yes, Signore, the 



