LIBER X · CAPUT 34
PIGEONS
Latine · Mayhoff 1906
Ab iis columbarum maxime spectantur simili ratione mores. inest pudicitia illis plurima et neutri nota adulteria. coniugi fidem non violant communemque servant domum. nisi caelebs aut vidua nidum non relinquit. et imperiosos mares, subinde etiam iniquos ferunt, quippe suspicio est adulterii, quamvis natura non sit: tune plenum querela guttur saevique rostro ictus, mox in satisfactione exosculatio et circa veneris preces crebris pedum orbibus adulatio. amor utrique subolis aequalis; saepe et ex hac causa castigatio pigrius intrante femina ad pullos. parturienti solatia et ministeria ex mare. pullis primo salsiorem terram collectam gutture in ora inspuunt praeparantes tempestivitatem cibo. proprium generis eius et turturum, cum bibant, colla non resupinare largeque bibere iumentorum modo.
English · Bostock & Riley 1855–57
Next to the partridge, it is in the pigeon that similar tendencies are to be seen in the same respect: but then, chastity is especially observed by it, and promiscuous intercourse is a thing quite unknown. Although inhabiting a domicile in common with others, they will none of them violate the laws of conjugal fidelity: not one will desert its nest, unless it is either widower or widow. Although, too, the males are very imperious, and sometimes even extremely exacting, the females put up with it: for in fact, the males sometimes suspect them of infidelity, though by nature they are incapable of it. On such occasions the throat of the male seems quite choked with indignation, and he inflicts severe blows with the beak: and then afterwards, to make some atonement, he falls to billing, and by way of pressing his amorous solicitations, sidles round and round the female with his feet. They both of them manifest an equal degree of affection for their offspring; indeed, it is not unfrequently that this is a ground for correction, in consequence of the female being too slow in going to her young. When the female is sitting, the male renders her every attention that can in any way tend to her solace and comfort. The first thing that they do is to eject from the throat some saltish earth, which they have digested, into the mouths of the young ones, in order to prepare them in due time to receive their nutriment. It is a peculiarity of the pigeon and of the turtle-dove, not to throw back the neck when drinking, but to take in the water at a long draught, just as beasts of burden do.