PIGEONS 195 



Is) ; nor are they m 

 netrable forests anc 

 themselves. 



and squirrels) ; nor are they much exposed to the attack of birds of prey 

 in the impenetrable forests and dense leafy tree-tops in which they hide 



ORDER VII. : PIGEONS (COLUMBINE). 



Beak at the tip with a convex horny covering ; at its base covered with 

 soft fleshy skin. Nostrils slit-like, covered with cartilaginous scales. 

 Edges of beak not overlapping (see fowls). All the toes articulated in 

 the same plane. Young helpless. 



The Domestic Pigeon (Columba livia). 

 A. Origin and Varieties. 



It is now generally agreed among naturalists that all the races of our 

 domestic pigeons are the descendants of the rock-pigeon (C. livia). This 

 bird inhabits in large flocks the steep cliffs and inaccessible rocks of the 

 coasts of the Atlantic and Mediterranean, but occurs also in similar 

 situations in Abyssinia, India, and Japan. It nests in caves, and in the 

 colour of its plumage (blue-green, throat glossy metallic green, wings with 

 two black bands), in shape, and mode of life, so closely resembles our 

 dovecot pigeon, or " blue rock," that it is frequently very difficult to dis- 

 tinguish them. The following remarks will, therefore, more specially 

 apply to the last-mentioned form of this species. 



The pigeon has been domesticated from times immemorial (men- 

 tioned in Bible. Why?). By means of constant selection (see dog) 

 numerous races or varieties have been produced, which frequently exhibit 

 in shape, colour, formation of beak, feet, etc., more considerable differ- 

 ences than distinct species of birds. Compare, for instance, on the one 

 side such birds as the common and hedge sparrow and the redbreast and 

 redstart, and on the other side the common pigeon, the pouter, the nun, 

 the fantail, or other breeds. 



B. The Pigeon a Grain-eating (Granivorous) Bird. 



At sowing time pigeons follow the farmer in search of scattered seeds, 

 and they again make their appearance for a share of the produce at 

 harvest-time. While the blades of corn, etc., are still standing the 

 birds are unable to despoil them of their seeds. (Why not ?) When, 

 however, the corn has been cut and spread, and the peas, lentils, and 

 vetches ripen, the pigeons often gather in considerable plunder from the 

 fields. They, however, make good the damage by actively destroying the 



