132 



DOMESTIC PIGEONS. 



Chap. V. 



world. 1 Since my admission into two of the London pigeon- 

 clubs, I have received the kindest assistance from many of the 

 most eminent amateurs. 2 



The races of the Pigeon which can be distinguished, and 

 which breed true, are very numerous. MM. Boitard and Corbie' 3 

 describe in detail 122 kinds ; and I could add several European 

 kinds not known to them. In India, judging from the skins 

 sent me, there are many breeds unknown here ; and Sir W. 

 Elliot informs me that a collection imported by an Indian 

 merchant into Madras from Cairo and Constantinople included 

 several kinds unknown in India. I have no doubt that there 

 exist considerably above 150 kinds which breed true and have 

 been separately named. But of these the far greater number 

 differ from each other only in unimportant characters. Such 

 differences will be here entirely passed over, and I shall confine 

 myself to the more important points of structure. That many 

 important differences exist we shall presently see. I have looked 

 through the magnificent collection of the Columbidse in the 

 British Museum, and, with the exception of a few forms (such as 

 the Didunculus, Calsenas, Goura, &c), I do not hesitate to 



1 The Hon. 0. Murray has sent me 

 some very valuable specimens from 

 Persia; and H.M. Consul, Mr. Keith 

 Abbott, has given me information on 

 the pigeons of the same country. I 

 am deeply indebted to Sir Walter 

 Elliot for an immense collection of skins 

 from Madras, with much information re- 

 garding them. Mr. Blyth has freely com- 

 municated to me his stores of knowledge 

 on this and all other related subjects. 

 The Kajah Sir James Brooke sent me 

 specimens from Borneo, as has H.M. 

 Consul, Mr. Swinhoe, from Amoy in 

 China, and Dr. Daniell from the west 

 coast of Africa. 



2 Mr. B. P. Brent, well known for his 

 various contributions to poultry litera- 

 ture, has aided me in every way during 

 several years; so has Mr. Tegetmeier, 

 with unwearied kindness. This latter 

 gentleman, who is well known for his 

 works on poultry, and who has largely 

 bred pigeons, has looked over this and 

 the following chapters. Mr. Bult for- 



merly showed me his unrivalled collec- 

 tion of Pouters, and gave me specimens. 

 I had access to Mr. Wicking's collection, 

 which contained a greater assortment 

 of many kinds than could anywhere 

 else be seen ; and he has always aided 

 me with specimens and information 

 given in the freest manner. Mr. Haynes 

 and Mr. Corker have given me speci- 

 mens of their magnificent Carriers. 

 To Mr. Harrison Weir I am likewise 

 indebted. Nor must I by any means 

 pass over the assistance received from 

 Mr. J. M. Eaton, Mr. Baker, Mr. Evans, 

 and Mr. J. Baily, jun., of Mount-street 

 — to the latter gentleman I have been 

 indebted for some valuable specimens. 

 To all these gentlemen I beg permis- 

 sion to return my sincere and cordial 

 thanks. 



3 ' Les Pigeons de Voliere et de 

 Colombier,' Paris, 1824. During forty- 

 five years the sole occupation of M. 

 Corbie was the care of the pigeons 

 belonging to the Duchess of Berry. 



