THE PIGEON. 201

the bill is weak, straight, slightly curved at the point, and
has a soft protuberance at the base, in which are the nos-
trils; the legs are short, the toes perfectly divided. The
sexes do not differ in plumage, which in Tureus risorius is
of a delicate buff, ornamented with a black collar at the back
of the neck. Pigeons are found in every climate, and,
although they thrive best in warm countries, they will live
in high northern latitudes. Their manners are particularly
gentle; they are fond of society, faithful and affectionate
to their mates, whom they caress with the most tender and.
graceful movements, and are the general emblem of peace
and innocence. A pair belonging to the author’s family
were universally admired for their confiding familiarity and
their extreme beauty.

Different species of pigeons and doves seem to be scat-
tered over the whole of the torrid and temperate zones. It
would be superfluous, and indeed impossible, in this little
work, to enter into any minute description of the varieties,
most of which seem to have descended from the stock-dove
(Columba Gnas), which is about fourteen inches in length ;
the head, neck, and back of a bluish-grey, glossed on the
neck with green and gold; the breast pale reddish-purple ;
lower part of the back, and under parts of the body, light