154 . 
BISET OR WILD ROCK-PIGEON. 
To describe or particularize all the varieties cul- 
tivated by pigeou fanciers, would require a volume 
of itself ; as, in addition to the permanent races, or 
those whicli, when kept pure, transmit tlieir likeness 
to tlieir offspring, there are intermediate forms, pro- 
duced by particular crosses between individuals bc- 
louging to the different varieties, wliich, though high- 
ly prized in the first generation, are not considered 
worthy of further cultivation, as their produce can- 
not be depended upon, but is found to degenerate, 
and liable to run into still more distant and less 
valued varieties. Wo must therefore confine our 
remarks to a few observations upon the mode of 
treatment, and the means adopted to perpetuate and 
keep pure such races or varieties as are held in the 
highest estimation by the amateur, and then present 
our readers with the figures and description of three 
or four of the most remarkable deviations from the 
original type of the species. 
Domestic or fancy pigeons are generally kept con- 
fined in aviaries, or lodged in appropriate buildings 
attached to or near the house of the breeder, in or- 
der that they may be regularly and easily fed, cleans- 
ed, and duly attended to in all matters having refer- 
ence to their condition and health ; for their natural 
instinct and their feeling of liberty have been so 
nearly effaced, or placed in abeyance by the capti- 
vity to which they have been subjected for so many 
generations, that they have become nearly depend- 
