OF BIRDS. 
>3 
There is a Pigeon nearly allied to the 1 umb:cr, 
which, as it turns round, ftrikes the air with 
that force with its wings, as fomciimes to break 
feveral of its quill feathers. 
The Helmet Pigeon has the head, the tail, and 
the firft quill feathers of the fame colour ; the reft 
of the feathers are of a different colour.- 
The Perfian Pigeon has a large warty excre- 
fcence above the beak, and a red circle extend¬ 
ing round the eyes ; it is a large Pigeon, its legs 
are fhort, and it ftldom goes far from the Dove- 
houfe. 
The Carrier has a remarkably large white car- 
runculated or warty cere, and a naked circle 
round the eyes. 
Thefe Pigeons have often been employed to 
carry letters to a confidcrable diltance i : a fhort 
time. 
In the Pigeon-houfcs of Grand Cairo, in 
E^ypt, they feparate fome of the malt s from the 
females, and fend them to thofe places from which 
they wifh to receive news; the letter is tied un¬ 
der the wing of the Pigeon, who has been previ- 
oufly well fed, left he fhould ftay by the way ; 
he fli.es ftrait to the Pigcon-houfc where his mate 
is 
