Home > Animals > Birds > Columbiformes > Doves > Rock Dove
Darwins Pigeons, English Carrier
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Darwins Pigeons, English Carrier
Figure 19, Original line drawing from the book Variation in Animals and Plants under Domestication by Charles Darwin, 1868. Library reference number DC BD 858 (Vol. 1) Date: 1868
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14239352
© Mary Evans / Natural History Museum
Charles Darwin Columba Columba Domestica Columba Livia Columba Livia Domestica Columbidae Columbiformes Darwin Domestic Pigeon Fancy Domestic Pigeon Fancy Pigeon Feral Pigeon Line Drawing Pigeon Rock Dove Rock Pigeon Sauropsid Sauropsida
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Animals
> Birds
> Columbiformes
> Doves
> Rock Dove
> Animals
> Birds
> Columbiformes
> Pigeons
> Related Images
> Arts
> Realistic drawings
> Figure drawing
> Fine art portraits
> Historic
> Famous inventors and scientists
> Charles Darwin
EDITORS COMMENTS
Figure 19: A Line Drawing of Darwin's English Carrier Pigeon from Variation in Animals and Plants under Domestication (1868) This intriguing line drawing (Figure 19) is an original illustration from Charles Darwin's seminal work, Variation in Animals and Plants under Domestication, published in 1868. The illustration depicts an English Carrier Pigeon (Columba livia domestica), a variety of the common rock pigeon (Columba livia), which was widely kept as a messenger bird due to its homing abilities. Darwin's interest in pigeons extended beyond their utility as messengers. He studied the breeding and variation of domestic pigeons, comparing them to their wild counterparts, the rock doves. This line drawing is a testament to Darwin's meticulous observation and documentation of the diverse morphology of these birds. The English Carrier Pigeon, with its distinct plumage and sleek, streamlined form, stands out against the plain background. Its feathers are smooth and glossy, with a predominantly blue-grey coloration, interspersed with iridescent green and purple hues. The head is adorned with a white band, while the wings exhibit a striking pattern of black bars. This illustration serves as a historical record of the English Carrier Pigeon, a breed that has since declined in popularity due to the advent of modern communication technologies. It also underscores Darwin's groundbreaking work in the field of evolutionary biology, which continues to influence our understanding of the natural world. The Sauropsida classification, which includes birds and reptiles, is reflected in the labeling of this drawing as a Columbidae, or pigeon, within the larger class of Sauropsida. This taxonomic categorization underscores the evolutionary relationship between birds and reptiles, a concept that was revolutionary in Darwin's time and remains foundational to our understanding of the animal kingdom.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
