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The Rock Pigeon 
H ERE is a bird that does not build its nest 
in trees, but in caves and fissures of rocks. 
That is why it is called the “rock” pigeon. 
It is found in the Old World, and is the kind of 
pigeon from which came those so familiar to the 
people of America. His plumage is usually gray, 
with bars of black and white on the wings; and 
the head, neck, and upper breast are a beautiful 
glistening green and purple. Even in ancient times 
people knew and liked this pigeon, because it is so 
loving and gentle with the female and the young. A 
rock pigeon may build his nest in a dove cot, but 
even then finds his own food and is not really tame. 
Game Fowl 
are never really tamed, 
orange-color shading to 
U TT THAT long legs!” you say. The 
better to run away with! For 
* * these game fowl have come from 
the jungle fowl, which got their living in 
the jungle, and saved their lives by fight¬ 
ing with or running away from their ene¬ 
mies, rather than flying away. That is why 
they still have not only long legs and small 
thin bodies, but a fighting disposition, and 
One kind has a bright red back, with the wings 
red, and the body and tail a vivid shining black. 
The Car-ri-er Pigeon 
T HE car-ri-er pigeon was given the wrong 
nickname. He is not used for carrying 
anything, and he cannot go on long flights. 
He is an unusually large gray pigeon, with a long 
neck, and his bill has a fold of skin across it. 
Around each eye there is a circle without feathers. 
His wings and tail have dark gray or black bars 
on them. The “homer” pigeon, or “one that 
goes home,” is the one used for sending messages. 
They are placed in a little metal ring around his 
leg. This bird has one on. When he arrives home, 
some one unfastens the ring and reads the message. 
