116 BRITISH AND EUROPEAN BIRDS. , 



The Winter, Birds all were quite ready for flight, 

 But most of them tarried to see the gay sight. 



consisting of more than one hundred and thirty species, the 

 characteristics of which are, a straight bill, descending towards 

 the tip ; nostrils oblong, half covered with a soft, tumid mem- 

 brane. The cooing of this tribe of birds is well known, and by 

 which it appears to be peculiarly distinguished from every other 

 genus. The young are also fed with grain made soft in the crop 

 and ejected into their mouths from the beaks of the parent 

 birds. On this account, as well as some other peculiarities, 

 they are arranged by Dr. Latham as a separate order, consist- 

 ing of one genus only ; Mr. Vigors has arranged it among the 

 Rasors. The following are the chief: 



The Domestica, Domestic or Common Pigeon, is too well 

 known to need description. It inhabits and is domesticated in 

 almost every part of Europe and Asia. The varieties are very 

 numerous: the Rough-footed, the Tumbler, the Horseman, the 

 Carrier, and the Fan-tail, are among the chief. It is about four- 

 teen inches long, and exceedingly variable in its colours ; lays 

 from nine to eleven times a year; eggs two, white; time of in- 

 cubation from fifteen to eighteen days ; feeds on grain ; flesh, it 

 is scarcely necessary to say, generally esteemed. See the con- 

 clusion of this note ; and also the articles Stock-dove and 

 Rock-dove. 



Pigeon-Houses are of various kinds. Where the numbers 

 kept are not large they are usually of wood of a triangular 

 shape, and fixed against a wall out of the reach of vermin and 

 other annoyance; but where a large number is kept, 



"Some tower rotund 

 Shall to the pigeons and their callow young 

 Safe roost afford," 



Mason's English Garden , book iv. 



The (Enqs, Stock-pigeon, or Stock-dove, is bluish, neck glossy 



