Pigeons / by Prideaux John Selby.

  • Selby, Prideaux John, 1788-1867.
Date:
[1845-46]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Pigeons / by Prideaux John Selby. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    251/296 (page 203)
    Genus PERISTERA,—Sif^AiNsoN. This well-marked group was first characterized by Mr Swainson, in the third volume of the Zoolo- gical Journal, and embraces a variety of species, na- tives of America and the West India Islands. To it we are inclined to add, at least for the present, a few species belonging to the African Continent, as they appear to possess characters precisely analogous, and are distinguished by similar habits and manners. In this group, an evident and near approach is made to the true Gallinaceous Birds, both in regard to form and economy. They have wings of a like shape, being rounded and concave when expanded, like those of a pai’tridge. Their legs are considerably longer than in the Typical Pigeons, and naked ; and the feet formed for walking or running. From their habits and general appearance, the French naturalists have distinguished them from the other Columbidae by the name of Colombi-Gallines, as expressive of their near affinity to the other families of the Raso- rial Order; and they stand, together with other groups, as a separate section in Temminck’s valuable History of the Pigeons. They live and procure their food upon the ground, where they walk and run with facility ; but most of the species retire to low