THE NATURAL HISTORY 
10 
xious in Pigeons, bought them at extravagant 
prices; he fays that they built turrets for them at 
the tops of their houfes, and kept their pedigree. 
It was probably from the Romans that we 
might firft have learnt to keep them in Dove- 
houfes. In Egypt they are very frequent, and are 
confidered by the hufbandman as a valuable part 
of his eftate. 
Pigeons are very fond of fait, and have fre¬ 
quently been the means of pointing out fait fprings. 
In order to attach them to any particular Dove- 
houfe, a compofition is fometimcs made of fait, 
caraway-feeds, loam, and rubbifh ; and this is 
occafionally ufed to inticc other Pigeons. 
They are very delicate food. 
Amongft the many varieties the following are 
fome of the moll remarkable. 
The Roman, or Spanifh Pigeon, it has a cere 
of a white mealy appearance, and is double the 
ftze of a common Pigeon. 
The Rough-footed Pigeon, whofe legs are co¬ 
vered with feather to the toes. 
The Powter Pigeon, he can inflate or blow up 
his breaft to a monftrous fize, as large as the reft 
of his body. Linmeus fays, that this variety, or 
fpecies is found in Arabia Felix. The pureft 
breed 
