Columba Leuconota (Snow Pigeon) 

Here is a lithograph of a Snow Pigeon by Elizabeth Gould. In many cultures, the dove or pigeon has symbolized peace, purity, and the soul. Here, the bird perches on a simple branch, its plumage meticulously rendered in shades of white, gray, and black. Consider the dove's transformation through art history. From ancient Minoan goddesses with doves atop their heads, to Picasso's lithograph "Dove" as a symbol of postwar peace, the bird carries an emotional weight that transcends time. But here, the pigeon is part of a scientific record. The pigeon can also be seen as a symbol of the human psyche, embodying the search for orientation, the need to find one's place, and the longing for freedom. We find an echo of this bird, in the peace dove and in the long history of our interaction with the natural world, revealing the enduring power of this symbol and its ability to resurface in different contexts.