4 
THE NATURAL HISTORY 
the Pafi'ercs, becaufe they pair, they bill, they fit 
alternately, they lay fewer eggs, they feed their 
young from their own beaks with what they have 
fwallowed, and they builJ their nefts on high. 
However as Linnaeus, whofe arrangement is 
followed, has placed them with the Pafiercs, they 
will be confidered here as belonging to the- fit ft 
divifion of that order. 
Fivft Divifion of PASSERES. 
Genus 6^. C O L U M B A. 
The bill is foft, nearly flrait, defeending a little towards 
the point. 
The noftrils arc oblong, half covered with a foft tumid 
or fwelling membrane. 
The tongue is intire. 
r T'HE genus Columba, or Pigeon, admits of 
two fubdivifions. The firft with the fea¬ 
thers in the tail nearly of an equal length. 
It has been obferved that Pigeons are not our 
fervants, like dogs and horfes, nor are they our 
prifoners like Come kinds of poultry, but that they 
rather feem to be our voluntary companions, and 
cccafional guefts, fo long as they are provided 
with 
