Carrier Pigeons

　　信鸽

　　The carrier pigeon is remarkable for the degree in which it possesses the instinct and power of returning from a distance to its accustomed home. In Eastern countries it is the practice to bathe the pigeon's feet in vinegar to keep them cool, and to prevent it from alighting in quest of water, by which the letter might sustain injury.

　　Pigeons intended for this use must be brought from the place to which they are to return, within a short period, and must be kept in the dark and without food for at least eight hours before being let loose. The carrier pigeon was of great service during the siege of Paris in 1871, and conveyed many important messages. It goes through the air at the rate of thirty miles an hour, but has been known to fly even faster.

　　信鸽具有超常的直觉和力量，能越过千山万水返回故土。在东方国度里，人们常常用醋给鸽子洗脚，为的是让鸽子脚部保持凉爽，以防它为了找水而降落，从而危及信件的安全。

　　肩负送信使命的鸽子，短期内必须到达目的地。放飞前，必须在黑暗中待上至少八小时，其间不能进食。在1871年的巴黎围攻战中，信鸽传递了许多重要的消息，发挥了巨大的作用。信鸽的飞行速度是每小时三十迈（约48公里/每小时），但是据说远不止这个速度！

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1  The King of Birds群鸟之王  ... 001

2  Mrs. Zebra and Her Young斑马夫人和斑马宝宝  ... 004

3  Mrs. Bruin and Her Young黑熊妈妈和黑熊宝宝  ... 007

4  Little Owls小猫头鹰  ... 010

5  Aurochs野牛  ... 013

6  The Kangaroo袋鼠  ... 016

7  Swans天鹅  ... 019

8  The Sea Lion海狮  ... 022

9  Badgers獾  ... 025

10  The Bird's Nest鸟巢  ... 028

11  The Chamois羚羊  ... 031

12  Macaw with Pussy's Bone与小猫争骨头的金刚鹦鹉  ... 034

13  Members of the Poaching Fraternity关于偷猎者  ... 037

14  A Cow Working a Pump会用水泵的母牛  ... 040

15  Carrier Pigeons信鸽  ... 043

16  Antelope of India印度羚羊  ... 046

17  Snipe鹬  ... 049

18  Mrs. Bunny and Family兔妈妈一家  ... 052

19  The Lynx猞猁  ... 055

20  The Beaver海狸  ... 058

21  The Lioness，the Lion and the Cubs母狮子、雄狮子和小狮子  ... 061

22  A Pet Jack宠物鱼杰克  ... 064

23  The Swallow's Nest燕子窝  ... 067

24  Mother-Deer and Baby鹿妈妈和鹿宝宝  ... 070

25  Whooping Crane鸣鹤  ... 073

26  The Elk麋鹿  ... 076

27  Animals Love Toys Too动物也爱玩具  ... 079

28  The Sucking-Pig会嘬奶瓶的小猪  ... 082

29  Bell-Ringers会敲钟的猫  ... 085

30  The Guinea-Pig豚鼠  ... 088

31  The Argus阿格斯鸟  ... 090

32  The Clever Fox聪明的狐狸  ... 093

33  Elephants大象  ... 096

34  A Wise Dog聪明的狗  ... 099

35  Our Pet Hedgehog Timothy我们的宠物刺猬蒂莫西  ... 102

36  The Brave Cockatoo勇敢的美冠鹦鹉  ... 105

37  Hare Taking the Water会凫水的兔子  ... 108

38  The Beaks of Birds鸟嘴  ... 111

39  Blackbirds and Young大黑鸟和小黑鸟  ... 114

40  A Useful Pilot管用的领头羊  ... 117

41  A bear named Jack一只名叫杰克的熊  ... 120

42  A Singular Habit of the Woodcock丘鹬的奇特习性  ... 123

43  The Sky-Lark云雀  ... 127

44  The Story of a Seal海豹的故事  ... 130

45  The Bee蜜蜂  ... 133

46  Sheep Dog牧羊犬  ... 136

47  The Friendly Terns有情有义的燕鸥  ... 139

48  The Otter水獭  ... 142

49  The Mastiff獒  ... 145

50  The Cunning Wood-Pigeons狡黠的木鸽  ... 148

51  Sea Reptiles海洋爬行动物  ... 151

52  Swiss Mountain Scenery瑞士山景  ... 154

53  Partridge and Young大鹌鹑和小鹌鹑  ... 157

54  The Kingfishers' Home翠鸟的家  ... 160

55  Rats Carrying Eggs Upstairs搬鸡蛋上楼的老鼠  ... 163

56  Heron苍鹭  ... 166

57  A Horse Guardian守护主人的马  ... 169

58  Battle between a Fox and a Swan狐狸和天鹅之战  ... 172

59  Mutual Affection友情  ... 175