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PIGEON-COTS AND 



two classes: — viz., dove-cot pigeons, which are 

 destined for the use of the table ; and fancy birds, 

 which are carefully kept apart, in order to ensure 

 a continuation of the original breed. 



Pigeon-fanciers apply themselves to the produc- 

 tion of croppers, carriers, fantails, barbs, capuchins, 

 and other remarkable sorts ; whilst the farmer 

 confines his attention to the more profitable class, 

 of what is usually known by the name of dove-cot 

 pigeons. 



These last birds are not so positively defined in 

 figure and plumage as the first ; and as their color 

 is perpetually varying, in each succeeding progeny, 

 the farmer would scarcely be able to swear to them 

 in, a court of justice, should he have recourse 

 to a prosecution. 



In fact, dove-cot pigeons cannot well be con- 

 sidered the private property of any individual, 

 as they do not always remain in one particular 

 cot. Hence, if I were allowed a peculiar observa- 

 tion, I would say, that they may be styled colum- 

 bine cosmopolites. 



They feed in all parts of the country. If they 

 determine to inhabit your dove-cot, they desert 

 mine, and they breed with you ; — whilst, not 

 uncommonly, several pairs of your pigeons, will 

 come and take up their quarters with me. 



