In the city of Venice the pigeon is a favorite bird that has won the affection of the people. Clouds of them circle around the cupola of St. Mark's church and the roof of the Doge's palace, and the man who sought to catch or harm them would do so at peril of death from the people.
Birds build all sorts of nests, some good, some bad, some very bad. Those of the wild pigeon belong among the very bad, and there is a reason for this, if we can believe a story that is told about our feathered friend.
This story says that the father of all the pigeons tried his best to make a good nest but kept making bad ones. In the end he asked the magpie, who made fine nests, to show him how it was done. He agreed to give the magpie a cow in return for a lesson. After watching the magpie for a few minutes he said that he knew all he wanted to and would not give the cow.
A judge was called to settle this case, the verdict being that the pigeon had broken his contract and could not claim any further lessons. So ever since that time the pigeon has built the worst kind of nests.
The pigeon nest-builder is here spoken of as "he," for it is the male bird that builds the nest, the duty of the female being to supply the eggs. And he also takes part in sitting on the two eggs with which the female begins her brood. The young pigeon is a blind and helpless bird when it comes from the egg. It is at first fed with a sort of broth made in the crop of its parents, and all through its bird babyhood it needs close care, both from its father and mother and from its owners.
A dainty and pretty bird it grows to be, one that charms us by its fine shape and its rich colors,—blue, gray, red, yellow, white or brown,—also by its swift and graceful flight. It needs to trust to its wings to escape its enemies, for neither its claws nor its beak are made for fighting. But its eyes are sharp and its great swiftness saves it from harm. So keen is its sight that it can see a morsel of food, such as a pea or seed, at a long distance. A quick swoop, and it has the food in its beak.
Much might be said about the care of the dove-cot or pigeon-house, but it is too long a story to be given here. We can only say that much needs to be done in keeping the house clean and fit for its purpose and in caring for the birds. Its diet is made up of peas, beans, corn, oats, barley and potato, with hemp seed for a special delicacy, while it picks up many other bits of food in its daily flights.
It is wonderful how many kinds of tame pigeons have come from their wild ancestor, the rock-pigeon. Of no other animal except the dog are there so many and it is hard to believe that they all came from one source. A few of them may be named, for the whole list is far too large for our space.
Among the various kinds may first be named the Tumbler pigeon. This bird flies to a great height, then sinks and soars in circles and curves, turning somersaults in the air. All at once it drops down in nearly a straight line; then stops short, hovers on its spread wings, and flies upward to begin the play again. A flock of these tumblers will keep in the air for hours at a time, enjoying themselves and pleasing their friends below. Of these tumblers there are many varieties, different in color, shape and size.
A very odd kind of pigeon is the Pouter, in which the breast stands out until it is like a great food chest, for the swelling is due to the great size of the upper stomach. As a result the head is thrown back almost out of sight behind this swollen chest. This gives the bird a sulky, pouting air, from which comes its name of pouter.