EPIZOOTY IN PHEASANTS. 133 



found, or they turn from the system (and, in part, 

 from the subject) with disappointment, as promising 

 that which it cannot perform. 



The feet of poultry and of pigeons are both adapted 

 for walking on the ground, and those of some species 

 of both are adapted for perching : their bills, too, are 

 both adapted for ground feeding, though not exactly 

 for the same kind of surfaces or of substances ; but 

 when thus much has been stated, the parallel is nearly 

 at an end. Thus far may be seen at first sight of 

 the two ; and when we come to study them more inti- 

 mately, there is nothing, even of inference and ana- 

 logy, in the general history of the one, that can lead 

 us to the general history of the other. 



The different casualties of the pheasant preserve 

 and the pigeon-house show that, physiologically con- 

 sidered, the two races have little in common ; that — 

 independently of difference of power and style of 

 flight, feeding, incubation, nesting and breeding, tex- 

 ture and flavour of flesh, and all other particulars — 

 there is a difference in the whole nature of the birds, 

 as they stand related to the course of natural events. 

 The pigeons have, as has been stated, only a lodging 

 in the pigeon-house, while the pheasants have both 

 cover and food in their preserve — that is, not merely 

 shelter while they are at rest, and accommodation for 

 their nests, but food, and protection from the weather 

 while they are gathering it. But under all the appa- 

 rent differences of accommodation, the pigeons thrive 

 best. As their numbers increase they extend the 

 range of their feeding excursions ; and though on 

 these they have to use the wing much, and often to 

 contend with the severity of the weather, they do not 

 appear subject to any casualty of nature, but to 

 thrive as well and be as healthy when they range 



