. Our domestic animals, their habits, intelligence and usefulness; tr. from the French of Gos. De Voogt, by Katharine P. Wormeley;. Domestic animals. 286 OUR DOMESTIC ANIMALS much esteemed as the fowl or the other denizens of the poultry yard. II. The Domestic Pigeon The domestic pigeon, as it moves about in perfect liberty, presents a slender but not thin body, with no shyness or timidity in its movements. There is, in fact, some- thing massive and assured in its approach, small as it is. Its brilliant colors — blue, gray, white, or brown — charm the eye ; its decided step, its solid legs (th
. Our domestic animals, their habits, intelligence and usefulness; tr. from the French of Gos. De Voogt, by Katharine P. Wormeley;. Domestic animals. 286 OUR DOMESTIC ANIMALS much esteemed as the fowl or the other denizens of the poultry yard. II. The Domestic Pigeon The domestic pigeon, as it moves about in perfect liberty, presents a slender but not thin body, with no shyness or timidity in its movements. There is, in fact, some- thing massive and assured in its approach, small as it is. Its brilliant colors — blue, gray, white, or brown — charm the eye ; its decided step, its solid legs (though agile and touching the earth lightl)-), and its sudden flights, with heavy beat of wing, distinguish it from all other birds when in the vicinity of man. Thanks to its piercing sight, it can distinguish at great distances a seed or a pea, which it picks up daintil)-, never scratching the soil like hens. If we watch the pigeon in his flight we shall learn many things about the manner in which he turns in circles and cur\'es, resting on his outspread wings ; and it is not surprising that those who call them- selves the " pioneers of aeronautics " should have gone to the school of pigeons to learn how to fly Cjuickly and gracefully. The keenness of the pigeon's e)-e and his rapid motions are really the onl)- means of defense on which he can rely. His beak is not sharp enough to fight with, and his claws are of no use at all. The rapidity of his flight alone enables him to escape the enemy whom his sharp eyes have quickly discov- ered. It is remarkable that the pigeon's eggs are not of a color that protects them, being always a pure white. It is true, how- c\er, that the ringdove usually deposits her eggs in such inaccessible places that wild creatures and birds of prey find it difficult to reach them. III. Abode, Food, .\Nn Like all other domestic animals bred for pleasure or utility, pigeons require cleanli- never attained in Europe or America the c
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