CHAPTER XXII 



THE PIGEON 1 



The many different kinds of domestic pigeons are familiar 



to every one. All of them — carriers, tumblers, 



The Rock Dove. fantailS) pouteR3) etc . _ have been bred, by 



selection continued for many generations, from the wild 



Fig. 286. — A pigeon in flight with the wings coming 

 down. — After Marey. 



Rock Dove ( Columba livid), a bird of strong flight which is 

 found over a great part of Europe and Asia, building among 

 high rocks or in ruins an untidy nest of sticks, in which two 

 white eggs are laid. It feeds on seeds of various kinds. 



1 It has been assumed, in writing this chapter, that the pigeon will 

 usually be studied after the rabbit. 



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