92 The Wood-pigeon. 



This dove might probably be of the carrier-pigeon tribe, 

 which is more nearly related to the rock-pigeon, also a native 

 of this country, or rather, of the northern parts of Scotland. 

 These carrier-pigeons were, in the old times, long enough 

 before the invention of electric telegraphs, or even before post- 

 offices were established, used instead of both. Anacreon, the 

 Greek poet, speaks of them as being used to convey letters ; 

 the pigeon, having, as it were, two homes, being fed in each ; 

 thus, a letter from a friend in one home was tied to the wing, 

 and the bird turned into the air, probably without his breakfast, 

 when he immediately flew off to his distant home, where the 

 letter was joyfully received, and he fed for his pains. Whilst 

 the answer was prepared he would rest, and it, perhaps, taking 

 some little time, he grew hungry again ; but they gave him 

 nothing more, and, again securing the letter on his little per- 

 son, he was sent back, making good speed, because he would 

 now be thinking of his supper. Thus, the answer flew through 

 the air. 



" Come hither, my dove, 



And I'll write to my love, 

 And I'll send him a letter by thee ! " 



So says the old song. And we are told that a young man 

 named Taurosthenes, one of the victors in the great Olympian 

 games of Greece, sent to his father, who resided at a consider- 

 able distance, the tidings of his success, on the same day, by 

 one of these birds. Pliny, the Roman historian, speaks of them 

 being used in case of siege ; when the besieged sent out these 

 winged messengers, who, cleaving the air at a secure height 

 above the surrounding army, conveyed the important intelli- 

 gence of their need to their friends afar off. The crusaders are 



