PIGEONS 125 



about three hundred species, and is distributed over a 

 large part of the warmer sections of the world. A 

 great many are found in the East Indies, especially in 

 the Malayan Archipelago. In form they resemble 

 each other closely. They are, as a rule, fairly large 

 birds, with strong feet and legs, and in walking have 

 a singular jerky motion, the head bobbing backwards 

 and forwards at each step. When rising from the 

 ground, many beat the backs of their wings together, 

 causing a loud flapping sound. The different domes- 

 tic breeds are supposed to be descendants of the Rock 

 Dove of Europe. The young are known as squabs, 

 and are highly prized for food. 



Pigeons, as a rule, are gregarious, flying in large 

 flocks, although some species are solitary in habits. In 

 flight they do not seem to have any orderly arrange- 

 ment like that of Ducks and Geese, but proceed in a 

 compact mass. 



The attitude of Pigeons in perching is peculiar and 

 very characteristic. The feet — that is, the portion 

 from the toes to the heel — are placed in an almost hori- 

 zontal position, the bird appearing to hang away from 

 the branch or perch in an awkward manner. The 

 grasping power of the toes must be considerable in 

 order to maintain this position. Most birds perch with 

 the feet directly under the body. 



The voice of Pigeons is a well-marked character, 

 best described by the word "coo," which perhaps most 

 closely resembles it. The sound is always accompa- 

 nied by the curious bobbing motion of the head. 



As a rule. Pigeons of the western hemisphere re- 

 semble each other somewhat in colouring, which is 



