286 



OUR DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



much esteemed as the fowl or the other 

 denizens of the poultry yard. 



II. The Domestic Pigeon 



The domestic pigeon, as it moves about 

 in perfect liberty, presents a slender but 

 not thin body, with no shyness or timidity 

 in its movements. There is, in fact, some- 

 thing massive and assured in its approach, 

 small as it is. Its brilliant colors — blue, 

 gray, white, or brown — charm the eye ; its 

 decided step, its solid legs (though agile and 

 touching the earth lightl)-), and its sudden 

 flights, with heavy beat of wing, distinguish 

 it from all other birds when in the vicinity 

 of man. Thanks to its piercing sight, it 

 can distinguish at great distances a seed 

 or a pea, which it picks up daintil)-, never 

 scratching the soil like hens. 



If we watch the pigeon in his flight we 

 shall learn many things about the manner 

 in which he turns in circles and cur\'es, 

 resting on his outspread wings ; and it is 

 not surprising that those who call them- 

 selves the " pioneers of aeronautics " should 

 have gone to the school of pigeons to learn 

 how to fly Cjuickly and gracefully. The 

 keenness of the pigeon's e)-e and his rapid 

 motions are really the onl)- means of defense 

 on which he can rely. His beak is not sharp 

 enough to fight with, and his claws are of 

 no use at all. The rapidity of his flight 

 alone enables him to escape the enemy 

 whom his sharp eyes have quickly discov- 

 ered. It is remarkable that the pigeon's 

 eggs are not of a color that protects them, 

 being always a pure white. It is true, how- 

 c\er, that the ringdove usually deposits 

 her eggs in such inaccessible places that 

 wild creatures and birds of prey find it 

 difficult to reach them. 



III. Abode, Food, .\Nn Tre.-vtment 



Like all other domestic animals bred for 



pleasure or utility, pigeons require cleanli- 



never attained in Europe or America the com- ness, and the condition of their do\-ecote must 



mercial and agricultural im])ortance of the gal- be watched incessantly. Whether large or small, 



linacef)us birds. Yet as food he is at least as simple or artistic, it must, in the first place, not 



Common Domi'.stic Pi<;f.oxs 



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