284 CLASS AVES. 



join in this atrocious amusement, and vice versa. They even 

 continue to molest the body after it is deprived of life. 



When the pigeons experience hunger or thirst they are 

 very unquiet, exhibiting their wants by the most expressive 

 demonstrations. They will fly upon any person who enters the 

 dove-house, and endeavour in the most intelligent manner to 

 make him understand their desires. They will seek for food 

 with their bills, in his hand, in his mouth, and all about his 

 person, — ^provided that he does not frighten them, but yields 

 himself to their perquisitions. This peculiarity shows how 

 these birds may be tamed to the greatest degree. 



Pigeons suffer considerably from cold, and when under a 

 certain degree of its influence they are more silent than usual, 

 taking refuge in their nests, or in those parts of the aviary 

 which are sheltered from the wind, — thus losing that desire of 

 motion which seems to animate them so much at all other 

 times. But when the cold is sufficient to pierce to their 

 retreats, and disturb their repose, they are observed to clap 

 their wings forcibly, and rise above the ground by alternate 

 jumps, which they continue for some time. On such occa- 

 sions, they are also fond of extending themselves in sunshine, 

 or near something warm. 



Heat in excess equally incommodes them. They then 

 keep their bill open, and the throat dilates and contracts in 

 a singular manner. In ]iot weather they are particularly 

 fond of bathing, and even in winter they will plunge into 

 water. 



In the different races of the pigeon we may observe cha- 

 racteristic marks in their modes of fighting. Pigeons with a 

 powerful bill march directly towards the enemy, attack him 

 in front, and with the bill only. Those with a short bill also 

 combat with this weapon, but more Avith the wing, with which 

 they strike reiterated blows. Those with a swelling throat. 



