ig6 



TEXT-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



of all kinds of noxious weeds. Thus, as many as 3,500 seeds of 

 the common vetch have been found in the crop of a single pigeon. In 

 winter the tame birds have to rely on man for their food, the wild 

 rock-pigeons, which nest in the North, departing to the South at this 

 season. 



1. During a great part of the day the pigeon roves over the fields in 

 search of food. Its elongated shape, short neck, powerful muscles of the 

 breast (high sternal keel), and the long pointed wings adapt it for rapid 

 flight. (Compare with swallow and domestic fowl.) We are all familiar 

 with the rapid flight of carrier-pigeons (how are these birds employed 



Longitudinal Section through Body of Pigeon. 



Hw., Cervical vertebra ; Rg., spinal column ; 0., humerus; Sell., scapula; B, sternum, 

 with crest, Bk. ; Sp., oesophagus; Kr., crop; M., muscular gizzard; D., intestine 



; Hp., 

 in several sections ; H. , heart ; Lr. , liver ; Nr. , kidneys ; Bz. , uropygial gland ; Lf. , trachea ; 

 Lg. , lungs ; 1 — 5, air-sacs. 



and trained?), which can easily accomplish in an hour a distance of 

 about forty-four miles. 



2. The pigeon has keen sight (large eyes), being able to discover a 

 grain of corn, pea, etc., at a considerable distance. 



3. While in search of food the bird walks along the ground for a con- 

 siderable time, constantly nodding its head. The legs, though not so 

 strong as in the gallinaceous birds (which see), are nevertheless equal 

 to this task, especially as the pigeon does not, like the fowl, rake up its 

 food from the ground. The posterior toe (hallux) touches the ground 

 in walking. (See, on the other hand, domestic fowl.) 



