Pigeon Cover -- Imprint page -- Contents -- Introduction -- 1: Pigeon or Dove? -- 2: Heaven-sent: Religion and Mythology -- 3: An Uneasy Relationship: Medicine, Meat and Messengers -- 4: Loved or Loathed: Portrayals in Literature, Art and Culture -- 5: Exploitation or Conservation: Our 'Feathered Conscience' -- Conclusion -- Timeline of the Pigeon -- References -- Bibliography -- Associations andWebsites -- Acknowledgements -- Photo Acknowledgements -- Index.