CHAPTER XXI. 



Pigeons. 



A thorough discussion of the various breeds of pigeons would fill a volume, 

 as the described varieties of the domesticated pigeon number nearly three hun- 

 Jred ; moreover, pigeons are rather to be considered as pets than as profit, 

 able poultry, hence we shall only attempt here to give a short description of a 

 few of the more characteristic breeds, with general hints as to their manage- 

 ment. 



The wild species of pigeons are also very numerous, several being peculiar to 

 North America, and numerous others being known in other continents. Those 

 which are of most intere^t here are the common Turtle Dove, or Carolina pigeon 

 (CoUimba CaroUneims), and the Migratory, or Passenger pigeon (C. migratoria). 

 These are too weU known over the whole United States east of the Bocky 

 mountains, to need description here. The species, however, which is believed 

 to be the parent form of the domestic dove, or pigeon, is the Kock pigeon 

 (C. livia), of Europe and Asia. This pigeon does not nest in trees, but on the 

 ground or among rocks ; it is easily domesticated, social in its habits, and breeds 

 readily with the domestic varieties. >These facts, taken in connection with the 

 fact that the domestic pigeon manifests great awkwardness in perching in 

 trees, and seems nearly or quite incapable of nesting there, certainly indicate a 

 close relationship between it and some one or more of the wild !Bock pigeons, of 

 which there are several varieties. 



For convenience in classification, Mr. Darwin has arranged the different vari- 

 eties of the domestic pigeon into four groups ; these he has divided into eleven 

 races; and these into sub-races, each containing one or more varieties. 



The first group includes but a single race, that of the Pouters. These are dis- 

 tinguished by the abnormal size of the oesophagus, which is barely separated 

 from the crop, and is capable of being inflated to an astonishing size. The beak 

 is of moderate dimensions. This race is divided into four sub-races as follows : 



1. The improved English Pouter. — ^In good specimens of this breed the beak 

 will be nearly buried when the oesophagus is fully expanded. The males 

 " pout" more than the females, and take great pride in their power. The bird 

 appears to stand almost upright. 



2. The Dutch Pouter. — ^This is thought to be the parent form of the preceding. 

 The birds are smaller than English Pouters. 



S. The LSle Pauier. — A variety of the Dutch Pouter, in which the (esophagus 

 assumes a spherical form, as if the bird had swallowed a large orange. 



4. The common Ovrman Poviera. — ^In this breed the ossophagus is muah less 

 dieteiided. and the bird stands less upright. 



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