pigeons in the whole world. There was originated the rare black carrier, the trumpeter, and the fantail. as the Pliny wrote of pigeons under the heading of "housedoves." He recorded their faithful life in pairs, and all the things which other observers have to say of these birds. He was of the opinion that the male was a little more "harsh and imperious," than any historian with whose work I am familiar. Among points not commonly noted he said, "So soon the eggs be hatched, ye shall see them at the very first spit into the mouths of the young pigeons salt and brackish earth, which they have gathered in their throat, thereby to prepare their appetite to meat and to season their stomachs against the time that they should eat." He made a note concerning their manner of drinking not often mentioned: "Housedoves and turtle-doves have this property, in their drinking not to hold up their bills between whiles, and draw their necks back, but to take a large draught at once as horses and kine do." He wrote beautifully of their joyous flight, merely to work off an excess of delight in living, and of the clapping of wings with which it was accomplished. In what he had to say of pigeons there was less of superstition and tradition than any other bird. No doubt this was because they were familiar objects around his home, and he could see for himself what they did. Because of all the reasons enumerated here and in the dove chapter these two birds were the most loved and honored above all others in the Bible. |