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Genus COLUMBA. — Auct. 
PIGEON. 
From the preceding division or sub-family of Ptili- 
nopin®, we now enter upon that of the Columbin®, 
embracing a vast variety of species, distributed 
throughout every quarter of the globe, and of which 
(as well as of the Columbid® collectively), our native 
Pigeons may bo taken as the typical representatives 
This division, for the present, we retain under one 
generic head, as it would be impossible, in a work 
of this brief nature, to enter into the laborious in- 
vestigation necessary to determine and point out 
with precision the subordinate groups into which the 
species may require to be divided. Taking, how- 
ever, the Ring Pigeon,* the Wood Pigeon,! and the 
Rock Pigeon,! types of form, a great majority of 
the species will be found to possess similar characters 
and habits, and to arrange themselves with them ; 
the remaiiuler, which by gradual modification of 
structure lead to other divisions of the family, and 
support that circular succession of affinities, which 
is shewn to pervade all nature, will then, when the 
• Columba Pnlumbus. -b Columba jEdos, 
§ Columba livia. 
