192 The Wood Pigeon. 
female resembles the male. Length, sixteen inches, 
The eggs are white. 
For many years past the habit of keeping different 
kinds of pigeons was as popular as at the present 
time. The carriers, tumblers, jacobins, pouters, runts, 
shakers, &c., may be found spoken of as a part of 
furniture for a mansion or farmyard, so there can be 
no doubt that tame pigeons are of very ancient date, 
and it is believed the domestic varieties were pro- 
duced originally from the rock pigeon. 
The Wood Pigeon is the largest species we have in 
Britain, and can be seen at all times of the year in 
woody districts. If, in summer-time, it be started 
from a tree where its mate is on the nest, it will rise 
in the air, with its wings spread open, and ascend 
almost in a perpendicular line; then, descending a 
little way, its wings give three or four claps, and it is 
again performing its proud flight. This bird has a 
large crop, and, like other pigeons, partakes of its 
meals freely, and after filling its crop, will rest, to 
allow the digestive organs to do their proper work. 
I once shot one of these birds when flying over my 
