936 The Zoologist — October, 1867. 



in a state of nature, they are not very likely to be propagated, inas- 

 much as a wild bird with any variation of plumage or form, will almost 

 of necessity mate with one of the ordinary character, the offspring 

 again do the same, so that in a very few generations all trace of any 

 singular variation is apt to be lost. 



"In a state of domesticity, however, any singular variation would 

 be noticed, and by careful selection of breeding stock, would be per- 

 petuated, and even increased. In this manner all the different breeds 

 have been produced. Some Indian fanciers in distant ages (for pigeons 

 have been kept as domestic pets many hundreds of years in India), 

 observing that certain pigeons were produced with extra feathers in 

 the tails, mated them together, and again selecting those of the off- 

 spring that showed the desired characters, succeeded in eventually 

 creating the fantail. Some short time since, a pigeon was forwarded 

 to the writer with a second or supplementary tail consisting of three 

 quill-feathers growing out between the shoulders. Unfortunately, the 

 bird had been shot, otherwise there would have been but little diffi- 

 culty in establishing a race of two-tailed pigeons from this singular 

 variation. It is needless to go through all the varieties in succession, 

 for the same principle applies to the production of each. The recurved 

 feathers of the jacobin and other breeds, the long beak of the carrier, 

 the length of plumage and limb in the pouter, &c, &c, all owe their 

 origin to natural variations which have been perpetuated and intensified 

 by the careful selection exercised by the breeders through many 

 successive generations." — p. 27. 



We now arrive at the subject on which the author is particularly 

 strong, the treatment of pigeons in a state of domestication, and we 

 heartily recommend his instruction to all who keep pigeons : light, 

 ventilation, cleanliness and security from cats, are desiderata very 

 properly introduced to the attention of the pigeon-breeder. 



"It seldom occurs that a room is specially built for pigeons; but 

 where there is any choice of locality, it is best to select one that is open 

 to the south, so as to get a warm aspect in winter and early spring, as 

 that tends to encourage early breeding, and is more healthy for birds 

 than a room Exposed to the cold blasts from the north. It is not 

 uncommon to see many pigeon rooms or lofts that are very deficient in 

 light : this is particularly objectionable. A dark room is not as healthy 

 for the birds, especially if they are not suffered to fly out; and it can 

 hardly be as well cleaued as one that is well lighted. Moreover the 



