. Natural history. For the use of schools and families. Zoology. fiCRATCHTN'G BIRDS. 167. Fig. 13 J.—Domestic Pigeons. from the arctic regions, discolor and fill the ocean to the extent of mighty kingdoms. To talk of hundreds of mil- lions of individuals of the same species habitually associ- ated in feeding, roosting, and breeding, without any re- gard to climate or season as an operating cause in these gregarious movements, would at first appear to be whol- ly incredible, if not borne out by most abundant testi- mony. The approach of the mighty feathered army with a loud rushing roar, and a
. Natural history. For the use of schools and families. Zoology. fiCRATCHTN'G BIRDS. 167. Fig. 13 J.—Domestic Pigeons. from the arctic regions, discolor and fill the ocean to the extent of mighty kingdoms. To talk of hundreds of mil- lions of individuals of the same species habitually associ- ated in feeding, roosting, and breeding, without any re- gard to climate or season as an operating cause in these gregarious movements, would at first appear to be whol- ly incredible, if not borne out by most abundant testi- mony. The approach of the mighty feathered army with a loud rushing roar, and a stirring breeze, attended by a sadden darkness, might be mistaken for a fearful tornado. For several hours together the vast host, extending some miles in breadth, still continues to pass in flocks without diminution. At the approach of the Hawk their sublime and beautiful aerial evolutions are disturbed, like the ruf- fling squall extending over the placid ; Audubon calculated, estimating one of these flocks to be,a mUe in width, and allowing two pigeons to each square yard, that it numbered eleven hundred and fifteen millions, and that the quantity of food necessary for its supply must. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Hooker, Worthington, 1806-1867. New York, Harper & Brothers
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1883
