422 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



like young Gallinaceans. In this family there are generally two 

 young hatched at the same time ; and it is a very curious fact 

 that there is almost always a male and a female. They do not quit 

 the nest till they have acquired sufficient strength to use their wings 

 and fly. During the early portion of their existence they receive no 

 other nourishment from their parents than a sort of pap secreted in 

 the walls of the gullet ; but at the end of some days the father or 

 mother discharges into the beaks of the young the food which they 

 have collected. When sufficiently developed, the offspring travel 

 with the adults in large flocks, to seek a milder climate or better 

 feeding-ground : their migrations in the natural state occur in spring 

 and autumn. What distinguishes them from the true Gallinaceans 

 is that they have a thumb inserted even with the other toes, and 

 that, consequently, they are able to perch. Their food consists 

 principally of seeds, berries, and fruits, sometimes insects, and a 

 peculiar little snail similar to that found in the Isle of France. Their 

 flesh, generally good, in some species, such as the Crowned Pigeon, 

 acquires an exquisite flavour. Thus, whether in the domestic or 

 wild state, they occupy an important position in reference to public 

 alimentation. Although their bodies are plump, and even present 

 some appearance of heaviness, their flight is easy and sustained, so 

 that Pigeons have been known to accomplish in a few hours journeys 

 of surprising length. 



We will divide the Pigeons into three families — the Colombi- 

 Galli?ies, Colombes, and Colombars. 



Colombi-Gallines. 



A certain number of birds rank in this family, which, with the 

 general forms of Pigeons, still preserve the habits of Gallinaceans ; 

 hence the mixed name of Colombi-Galli?ies. Thus they constantly 

 live on the earth, build their nests there, and only take refuge upon 

 trees to pass the night or escape from danger. They run perfectly, 

 but fly badly, and are sedentary ; lastly, some species have cephalic 

 nudities and fleshy appendages, or long, movable feathers round the 

 neck, like the male of the Domestic Fowl. Physically they are charac- 

 terised by a slight and straight beak and by rather high tarsi. This 

 family comprises a very large number of species spread throughout 

 Central and South America, the isles of the Indian Ocean, and a 

 great part of Africa. The compass of this work will not permit us to 

 examine .all; we will merely mention the most remarkable, the Crowned 

 Pigeon, or Goura {Goura coroiiata, Fig. 161) very common in New 



