Lavalle:Die Taubenrassen - Erster Teil

In this volume, the authors provide a detailed description of various pigeon breeds, such as giant pigeons, Strasser, lark pigeons, warty pigeons, crop pigeons, tumblers, color pigeons, drum pigeons, carrier pigeons, and many more. Pigeons live in flocks and are site-faithful; they only leave their nesting place to feed. Only larger young pigeons tend to wander far, joining and merging with other groups. This behavior helps avoid inbreeding. Humans took advantage of their site fidelity. Driven by the desire to quickly return to their nest, partner, and young, pigeons were used as messengers. Messenger pigeons from the East arrived in Central Europe with the Crusades and remained the fastest means of communication for centuries, known as pigeon post. Consequently, pigeon keeping was reserved for nobility and monasteries until the 18th century. The volume is illustrated with over 200 black-and-white images and 60 plates. The companion volume "Pigeon Breeds - Part Two," which is not included here, covers care, breeding, and husbandry. This is a reprint of the original edition from 1905.