402 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



lack of success. If a number of enthusiasts were to unite their 

 labours, each devoting a lifetime to one particular definite pur- 

 suit, and become associated in a school or college for the study 

 of experimental results, science would make some rapid steps in 

 advance. 



The very limited area of my own studies, and the dogged 

 determination to prove a personal theory regardless of time and 

 labour, have contributed to my success. My original ambition 

 was to produce a new variety of Pigeon that would not only prove 

 the swiftest flying bird, but also the most useful adjunct for the 

 table. To carry this out I ignored the existing varieties of C. 

 domesticus, and turned my attention to the British wild Doves. 

 During the past fifteen years I have reclaimed and bred hybrids 

 from C. palumbus, G. cenas, C. turtur, and C. livia. These years of 

 labour have been marked by many failures and disappointments. 

 In addition to the weariness of working alone and without 

 sympathy or recognition, I was confronted with the fact that no 

 ornithologist whose writings I had consulted at the libraries of 

 the universities and learned societies made any mention of the 

 prolificness of Ring-Dove hybrids. Many doubted even the 

 possibility of domesticating and hybridizing the bird, and all were 

 agreed that such a bastard would prove barren and worthless. 



Sir W. Jardine, in ' The Naturalist's Library,' remarks : — 

 " For the bastard produce of the common Wild Turtle of the 

 aviary (C. risoria) has been proved by frequent experiment to be 

 barren, although the two species from whence it originates 

 appear to be closely allied, and such we have no hesitation in 

 saying would be the event if a cross could be obtained between 

 the Common Pigeon and the Ring-Pigeon, the Wood-Pigeon, or 

 any other species." 



Comparing this statement with my own notes on the hybri- 

 dization of C. palumbus, I quote the following: — 



"Daring this year (1899) I became decidedly disheartened, 

 having lost, from different pairs, no fewer than forty young birds, 

 from causes that at the time appeared unaccountable " ; and 

 again, on 2nd August, 1899, I wrote : " Eleven days seem about 

 the extent of life permitted to the young of this curious cross- 

 breeding. Both birds that died to-day are well nourished, and 

 bear the characteristics of the Wood-Pigeon, both in shape and 



