Chap. 53.] 
PIGEONS. 
519 
this spirit of ostentation that they are handed over, fast bound 
as it were, to the hawk ; for from the noise that they make, 
which, in fact, is only produced by the flapping of th^ir wings, 
their long feathers become twisted and disordered : otherwise, 
when they can fly without any impediment, they are far swifter 
in their movements than the hawk. The robber, lurking amid 
the dense foliage, keeps on the look-out for them, and seizes 
them at the very moment that they are indulging their vain- 
glorious self- complaisance. 
(37.) It is for this reason that it is necessary to keep along 
with the pigeons the bird that is known as the tinnun- 
culus;"^^ as it protects them, and by its natural superiority 
scares away the hawk ; so much so, indeed, that the hawk will 
vanish at the very sight of it, and the instant it hears its 
voice. Hence it is that the pigeons have an especial regard 
for this bird ; and, it is said, if one of these birds is buried 
at each of the four corners of the pigeon-house in pots that 
have been newly glazed, the pigeons will not change their 
abode — a result which has been obtained by some by cutting a 
joint of their wings with an instrument of gold; for if any 
other were used, the wounds would be not unattended with 
danger. — The pigeon in general may be looked upon as a bird 
fond of change ; they have the art, too, among themselves of 
gaining one another over, and so seducing their companions : 
hence it is that we freq^uently find them return attended by 
others which they have enticed away. 
CHAf. 53. WONDEEFUL THINGS D03S"E BY THEM; PRICES AT 
WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN SOLD. 
In addition to this, pigeons have acted as messengers in 
aflairs of importance. During the siege of Mutina, Decimus 
Erutus, who was in the town, sent despatches to the camp of 
the consuls fastened to pigeons' feet. Of what use to Antony 
then were his intrenchments, and all the vigilance of the be- 
^6 Cuvier takes this to be the kestril, or Falco tinnunculus of Linnaeus, 
and considers it to be synonymous with the cenchris, mentioned in c. 73, 
and in B. xxix. c. 6, though Pliny does not seem to be aware of the 
identity. 
Hirtius and P^nsa. Frontinus, B. iii. c. 13, says that pigeons were 
sent by Hirtius to Brutus. At the present day, letters are sent fastened 
under their wings. 
