Sadly, pigeons get undeservedly bad press. Sometimes they are even called "flying rats". I happen to like them and have spoken up in their defense before.
Anyone who has ever been to Venice has enjoyed watching the hundreds of pigeons that inhabit Piazza San Marco and are fed by the tourists. As a matter of fact, you can buy maize for the birds in the Square.
Pigeons existed in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) five thousand years ago. They are mentioned in the Bible. In the Middle Ages pigeon poo was used as fertilizer. The military used carrier pigeons in the two World Wars, and a famous pigeon, named "Cher Ami" saved many lives. Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs feed the birds for religious reasons.
If you want to learn more about these birds, click on http://www.deterapigeon.com/21-amazing-facts-about-pigeons.htm
I took the attached picture while sipping coffee at the Village Shopping Center's Starbucks in Corte Madera.
No comments:
Post a Comment