90 
NATURAL HISTORY OF 
the typical pigeons, is powerful and rapid, the wings 
being fully developed, and often acuminate; and the 
pectoral muscles strong, and calculated to support 
it for a long continuance without fatigue. As the 
species depart from the typical form, and approach 
nearer to the true Rasores in their form and habits, 
these members become shorter and rounded, and, 
when expanded, rather concave beneath, like those 
of the common partridge. In these groups, the 
flight is abrupt, and at a low elevation, and can only 
be supported for a short time. This deficiency of 
flight, however, is in a great degree compensated 
by the increased length of their legs, which enables 
them to run with great rapidity upon the surface of 
the ground. 
In disposition the Columbidre are wild and timo- 
rous, and with the exception of the common pigeon 
and ringed turtle, the attempts to reclaim or domes- 
ticate other species have hitherto failed. In regard 
to the first mentioned kind, it may be observed, 
that its peculiar habits and economy appear to have 
been taken advantage of from the remotest period, 
for besides the interesting mention made of it in the 
earlier pages of the sacred volume, when it was sent 
forth as a messenger from the ark, and returned the 
harbinger of glad tidings, bearing the olive branch of 
peace in its mouth, we afterwards find it and the 
turtle enumerated among the sacrificial offerings and 
atonements under the Mosaical dispensation. Among 
the heathen nations, from the affection exhibited 
