456 GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 



Now it was the Wolves' turn, the howls of which saluted our ears. 

 Foxes, Lynxes, Cougars, Bears, E.ats, Opossums, and Martins, 

 bounding, running, climbing, pressed to the quarry, whilst Eagles 

 and Falcons of different species flew down from the air to take 

 their part of such rich booty. The sportsmen then, in their turn, 

 entered into the midst of the dead, the dying, and the wounded. 

 The Pigeons were piled in heaps, each took what he wished, and 

 the Pigs were left to satiate themselves on the remainder." 



These massacres are in nowise injurious to the existence of this 

 species. In short, according to Audubon, the number of these 

 Pigeons becomes doubled or quadrupled in a single year. 



COLOMBAHS. 



This family, established by Levaillant, comprises some species 

 which belong entirely to the hot countries of Asia and Africa. 

 These birds are characterised by thick, strong, bent beaks, which 

 enable them to break the envelopes of the fruits which serve them 

 for food. They fly less rapidly than birds of the Dove family, 

 and coo in a different manner. They inhabit woods, and build in 

 holes in trees. Their flesh is good. The principal species are 

 found in Abyssinia, Senegal, and the Indian Archipelago. 



