KGEONS. 



they are called Mahomets." In France again, a cross between 

 the Barb and Scandaroon is called after the infidel prophet, 

 into whose ear — so the heathenish legend runs — a white pigeon 

 whispered the heavenly orders it had just received. Sceptics 

 accuse Mahomet of enticing the pigeon by filling his ears with 

 peas. 



THE LAUGHEE. 



" This pigeon," wrote Moore, nearly seventy years ago, " is 

 about the size of a middling runt, and much of the same make, 

 and. I am informed has a very bright pearl eye, almost white. 

 As for its feather, it is red mottled, and some teU me they have 

 seen blues. They are said to come from ' the Holy Land, near 

 Jerusalem. When the cock plays to his hen he has a hoarse 

 coo, not unlike the gurgling of a bottle of water when poured 

 out, and then makes a noise which very much imitates a soft 

 laughter, and from thence this bird has its name." 



For many years after the above was written, this peculiar 

 breed was allowed to die out. Beoently, however, a few have 

 been introduced into this country from Mecca, where they are 

 much esteemed. In fonn they closely resemble the dovehouse 

 pigeon, with the addition of a tiny feathery peak surmounting 

 the crown of its head. In colour they are a light " haggle," 

 that is, something between a grey mottle and a grizzle. 



" The great peculiarity of this variety of domestic pigeon," 

 says a modern authority, " consists in their strange voice, 

 which baffles description. It is prolonged, broken, and gurg- 

 ling in utterance, not so sonorous as that of the trumpeter, but 

 more varied, sometimes resembling what we might imagine an 

 almond tumbler to say if he stammered, and, again, rather 

 resembling the purring coo of the turtle dove. It is, too, often 

 interrupted by one or more inspiratory 'ahs,' from which, 

 perhaps, they obtain the name of Laughers." 



THE OWL. 



As before mentioned, this bird closely resembles the Turbit, 

 and should have the same short 

 round head and stunted beak. 

 According to Mr. Brent, al- 

 though blue and silver are the 

 chief and best colours for the 

 owl pigeon, yet other colours, 

 as white, black, or even yeUow, 

 are sometimes met with, and I 

 OWL PIGEONS. have seen some recently in Lon- 



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