266 
BRITISH BIRDS,, 
The manners of pigeons are well known, few fpe- 
cies being more univerfally diffufed ; and having a 
very powerful wing, they are enabled to perform 
very diftant journies ; accordingly wild and tame 
pigeons occur in every climate, and although they 
thrive bell in warm countries, yet with care they 
fucceed alfo in very northern latitudes : Every 
where their manners are gentle and lively'; they 
are fond of fociety, and the very emblem of con- 
nubial attachment ; they are faithful to their mates, 
whom they folicit with the foftefl cooings, the 
tenderefl careffes, and the moft graceful move- 
ments. The exterior form of the Pigeon is beau- 
tiful and elegant; the bill is weak, ftraight, and 
llender, and has a foft protuberance at the bafe, in 
which the noftrils are placed ; the legs are Ihort 
and red, and the toes divided to the origin. 
