Origin of Species Variorum

→ as it seems to me, 1859 1860 1861 1866

OMIT 1869 1872

→ in 1859 1860 1861 1866

with the wild rock-pigeon in 1869 1872

→ with the wild rock-pigeon, 1859 1860 1861 1866

OMIT 1869 1872

→ of their structure: 1859

of their structure; 1860 1861 1866

OMIT 1869 1872

→ seem to me 1859 1860

are 1861 1866 1869 1872

even on several of the smaller British islets, or on the shores of the Mediterranean. Hence the supposed extermination of so many species having similar habits with the rock-pigeon seems

to be

~~to me~~

to me

a very rash assumption. Moreover, the several above-named domesticated breeds have been transported to all parts of the world, and, therefore, some of them must have been carried back again into their native country; but not one has

~~ever~~

ever

become wild or feral, though the dovecot-pigeon, which is the rock-pigeon in a very slightly altered state, has become feral in several places. Again, all recent experience shows that it is

~~most~~

most

difficult to get

~~any~~

any

wild

animals

animal

to breed freely under domestication;

yet,

yet

on the hypothesis of the multiple origin of our pigeons, it must be assumed that at least seven or eight species were so thoroughly domesticated in ancient times by

half-civilised

half-civilized

man, as to be quite prolific under confinement.

argument

argument,

→as it seems to me, of great weight, and applicable in several other cases, is, that the above-specified breeds, though agreeing generally →in constitution, habits, voice, colouring, and in most parts of their structure, →with the wild rock-pigeon, yet are certainly highly abnormal in other

parts;

parts

→of their structure: we may look in vain

through

throughout

the whole great family of Columbidæ for a beak like that of the English carrier, or that of the short-faced tumbler, or barb; for reversed feathers like those of the

Jacobin;

jacobin;

for a crop like that of the pouter; for tail-feathers like those of the fantail. Hence it must be assumed not only that

half-civilised

half-civilized

man succeeded in thoroughly domesticating several species, but that he intentionally or by chance picked out extraordinarily abnormal species; and further, that these very species have since all become extinct or unknown. So many strange contingencies →seem to me improbable in the highest degree.