be confidently viewed, as we shall see in
the next chapter, as the common parent-form. The names in italics on the
right-hand side of the table show us the most distinct breeds, or those
which have undergone the greatest amount of modification. The lengths of
the dotted lines rudely represent the degree of distinctness of each breed
from the parent-stock, and the names {135} placed under each other in the
columns show the more or less closely connecting links. The distances of
the dotted lines from each other approximately represent the amount of
difference between the several breeds.

[Illustration: Fig. 17.--The Rock-pigeon, or Columba livia.[280] The
parent-form of all domesticated Pigeons.]

{136}

COLUMBA LIVIA or ROCK-PIGEON

GROUP I. GROUP II.

1. SUB- 2. 3. 4.
. GROUPS. .
. Kali-Par
. .
. .
. ...Murassa
. .
. .
. Bussorah
. .
. ....................
. . . . .
. . Bagadotten . .
. . . . .
. . Scanderoon . .
. . . . .
. . . Tronfo .
. . . .
German P. . . .
. Lille P. . . .
. . Dragon Pigeon .
. . . Cygne .
Dutch P. . . . .
. . . . .
....... . . .
. . . .
English English Runt. Barb.
Pouter. Carrier.

GROUP III. GROUP IV.

5. 6. 7. 8. 9. SUB- 10. 11.
. . . . . GROUPS. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
. . Persian . . . . . . . . .
. . Tumbler . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
. . Lotan . . . . . . . . .
. . Tumbler . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
.