PIGEONS. 
specimens, it is scarcely possible to obtain one entirely free 
from foul feathers. Smallness of head and beak, a pearl eye, 
and largeness of veil, are desirable properties in this bird. 
THE HELMET. 
This variety is a somewhat larger bird than the nun. Its 
head, tail, and flight are mostly of one color, either yellow, 
blue, or black tint, and the other parts of the body are generally 
white; its head bears a delicate tuft of feathers, differing in 
color from the body, and in form like a helmet. It is a pretty 
bird, but is not a fine flyer. It is most useful as a nurse. 
To the varieties already enumerated; I might add several 
others, as the 44 owl,” the 44 ruff,” the 44 spot,” the 44 lace,” the 
44 finnikin,” and the 44 Friezland runt;” but these breeds are not 
common, nor are they generally held of much account. As 
for the French, Leghorn and the Spanish 44 runts,” they are not 
to be placed among the fancy varieties, being remarkable 
merely for their size, and are appopriate for the dove cot 
FOOD. 
In a state of nature, the rock dove feeds on grain and seeds 
of various kinds, as well as on vegetables. According to 
Montagu, it also devours some kinds of snails, and is particu¬ 
larly fond of the Helix virgata. 
In a state of confinement or familiarisation , these birds are 
fond of almost every kind of grain, but old tares are found, by 
experience, to be the best for them; horse beans, particularly 
the smaller sorts, as small ticks, are considered next to tares in 
point of nutritive properties; oats, barley, wheat, and peas, 
may be given occasionally, and will be found wholesome 
varieties of diet. Pigeons are very fond of rape, hemp and 
Canary seeds, which, however, should only be given occasion¬ 
ally; and new tares should especially be given to young birds 
3ry sparingly. Many fanciers make a composition of salt, 
