Author's Note:
This is number 30 in the series of my hypothetical 'new boyfriends'.

The creatures I have written about previously are: Penguin, Chimpanzee, Whale, Albatross, Rabbit, Bull, Cat, Dog, Pig, Horse, Grey Parrot, Snake, Polar Bear, Bee, Octopus, Goat, Vampire Bat, Swan, Snail, Elephant, Flamingo, Kangaroo, Rainbow Trout, Dung Beetle, Beaver, Giraffe, Mouse, Sheep.

The domestic PIGEON was derived from the rock dove (also called the rock pigeon). Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets mention the domestication of rock pigeons more than 5,000 years ago, as do Egyptian hieroglyphics. Research suggests that domestication of pigeons occurred as early as 10,000 years ago.

Pigeons have made contributions of considerable importance to humanity, especially in times of war. Their homing ability makes pigeons useful for carrying messages, which was a handy attribute in earlier wartimes. I imagine they have been made redundant these days.

1.) Billing and cooing means to hug and kiss. It's a sweet old-fashioned phrase for necking, making out, smooching, or playing kissy-face - the way that courting birds touch bills and emit soft cooing noises before they get down to the real mating game.
2.) To 'clip someone's wings' means to restrain or reduce their freedom. This metaphor for clipping a bird's wings to prevent its flying away dates from ancient Roman times.
3.) Trafalgar Square was a popular place for plentiful feral pigeons. These days, hawks have been deployed to scare them away as it has been decided by authorities that the pigeons are a health hazard. Some people refer to pigeons as 'rats with wings' or 'flying rats'.

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