t, sometimes excessively short and conical._

This Race may be divided into four sub-races, namely, Persian, Lotan,
Common, and Short-faced Tumblers. These sub-races include many
varieties which breed true. I have examined eight skeletons of various
kinds of Tumblers: excepting in one imperfect and doubtful specimen,
the ribs are only seven in number, whereas the rock-pigeon has eight
ribs.

_Sub-race I. Persian Tumblers._--I have received a pair direct from
Persia, from the Hon. C. Murray. They were rather smaller birds than
the wild rock-pigeon, being about the size of the common
dovecot-pigeon, white and mottled, slightly feathered on the feet, with
the beak just perceptibly shorter than in the rock-pigeon. H.M. Consul,
Mr. Keith Abbott, informs me that the difference in the length of beak
is so slight, that only practised Persian fanciers can distinguish
these Tumblers from the common pigeon of the country. He informs me
that they fly in flocks high up in the air and tumble well. Some of
them occasionally appear to become giddy and tumble to the ground, in
which respect they resemble some of our Tumblers.

_Sub-race II. Lotan, or Lowtun: Indian Ground Tumblers._--These birds
present one of the most remarkable inherited habits or instincts which
have ever been recorded. The specimens sent to me from Madras by Sir W.
Elliot are white, slightly feathered on the feet, with the feathers on
the head reversed; and they are rather smaller than the rock or dovecot
pigeon. The beak is proportionally only slightly shorter and rather
thinner than in the rock-pigeon. These birds when gently shaken and
placed on the ground immediately begin tumbling head over heels, and
they continue thus to tumble until taken up and soothed,--the ceremony
being generally to blow in their faces, as in recovering a person from
a state of hypnotism or mesmerism. It is asserted that they will
continue to roll over till they die, if not taken up. There is abundant
evidence with respect to these remarkable peculiarities; but what makes
the case the more worthy of attention is, that the habit has been
strictly inherited since before the year 1600, for the breed is
distinctly described in the 'Ayeen Akbery.'[289] Mr. Evans kept a pair
in London, imported by Captain Vigne; and he assures me that he has
seen them tum