280 A DESCRIPTION OF 
thirty days' journey) in forty-eight hours. To measure 
their speed with some degree of exactness, a gentleman 
many years ago, on a trifling wager, sent a Carrier 
Pigeon from London, by the coach, to a friend at 
Bury St. Edmond's ; and along with it a note, de- 
siring that the Pigeon, two days after its arrival there, 
might be thrown up precisely when the town clock struck 
nine in the morning. This was accordingly done, and the 
Pigeon arrived in London at half-past eleven o'clock of 
the same morning, having flown seventy- two miles in two 
hours and a half. From the instant of its liberation, its 
flight is directed through the clouds, at a great height, to 
its home. By an instinct altogether inconceivable, it 
darts onward, in a straight line, to the very spot whence 
it was taken , but how it can direct its flight so exactly 
will probably for ever remain unknown to us. 
Led by what chart, transports the timid Dove 
The wreaths of conquest, or the vows of love ? 
Say through the clouds, what compass points her flight ? 
Monarchs have gazed, and nations bless'd the sight. 
Pile rocks on rocks, bid woods and mountains rise, 
Eclipse her native shades, her native skies ; 
"Tis vain ! Through ether's pathless wilds she goes, 
And lights at last where all her cares repose. 
Sweet bird, thy truth shall Harlem's walls attest, 
And unborn ages consecrate thy nest. ROGERS. 
The Carrier Pigeon is easily distinguished from the 
other varieties, by a broad circle of naked white skin 
round the eyes, and by its dark blue or blackish colour. 
