CHAP, v.] GBEGARIOUSNESS. 155 



how it fed, we knew not, At last it took its departure 

 for good and all, and we subsequently learned that it had 

 joined the parent colony, consisting of Blue Rocks only, 

 about a quarter of a mile distant, from which it had 

 been brought in the egg. I have since induced a few of 

 these birds to stay with me, but only by placing their 

 eggs under other Pigeons to hatch in my own loft. 

 All attempts to get young Blue Rocks to settle with the 

 rest of my flock have failed. They have always left us, 

 as soon as they had sufficient strength of wing to do so. 

 My neighbour's Blue Rocks often pass over our house, 

 but they never alight to make the acquaintance of the 

 Pigeons here : the most they do is to sink gracefully a 

 little in their course, without altering its direction, and 

 at once continue their journey to some distant field ; for 

 the Blue Rock Dove is not always " contented with the 

 food given it at home," but will, if so minded, stray far 

 and wide in search of provender. Powters and Fan- 

 tails may be satisfied to lead an idle life, and to subsist 

 on what is offered to them without exertion ; but the 

 Blue Rock prefers to earn for itself its daily bread, and 

 likes the meal gained by independent toil, better than 

 the feast held out as a temptation to sink into a condi- 

 tion of indolent servility. 



Blue Rock Pigeons are fond of living in large socie- 

 ties. He who has most of these birds will be sure to 

 continue to have most, from desertion, as well as in- 

 crease. They decidedly prefer associating with their 

 own counterparts and congeners, to mingling on easy 

 and equal terms with tame Pigeons of quiet habits. 

 Persons who keep a pure stock are averse to the intru- 

 sion of any of the fancy kinds : this may be merely 

 intended as a precaution to maintain the purity of blood; 



