84 
PIGEONS. 
f 
enforced, would plunge all animated matter into indescribable 
confusion, that the offspring produced by the intercourse of 
different, (that is, distinct species,) is incapable of further 
| increase. • That such an intercourse may be effected, is well 
; known; but it is generally under peculiar or artificial circum¬ 
stances, and rarely when the animals, birds, or whatever they 
may be, are in their natural state, and in a condition to make 
their own election. Thus it is in the crosses obtained in .a 
state of confinement, between the Canary and goldfinch, 
linnet, &c. But in all these instances, the progeny are 
invariably “ mules,” and as a general rule, are incapable of 
further production; for although they may exhibit the passions 
natural to the sexes, and the females may produce eggs, 
which, in general, even with extreme care, are found addled 
and incapable of being hatched. Such, I may add, is the case 
with hybrids of some of the crosses themselves; for the mongrel 
progeny of the wild turtle dove, ( Turtur communis ,) of Europe, 
with the turtle of the aviary, (T. risoria ,) has been proved, by 
frequent experiments, to be barren, although the two species 
whence it originated appear to be closely allied, and a mixed 
breed is easily procured; and such I am justified in saying, 
would be the event, if a cross could be obtained between the 
rock pigeon, ( Columba livia ,) and the European wood pigeon, 
(C. oenas ,) or stock dove, as it is improperly called, or with the 
ring pigeon, ( C. jpalumbus ,) or any other species. 
VARIETIES. 
To describe or particularise all the varieties possessed by 
fanciers, would require a volume in itself; as, in addition to the 
permanent races, or those which, when kept pure, transmit 
their likeness to their offspring, there are intermediate casts 
produced by particular crosses between individuals belonging 
to the different varieties, and which, though highly prized in 
the first generation, are not considered worthy of further 
-xtension; as their progeny cannot be depended upon, but ar~ 
