Emperor Nero even used them to send results of the games to his friends. The Dove, with time became a powerful symbol in religious traditions. It was used as a messenger, for sporting purposes, even becoming a well loved pet. White varieties are known and are presented symbolically. Hence, the English word, turtle dove.
Christian tradition depicts a white dove as a saved soul, the purified.
The black raven, just the opposite, is cast as sin. To Western tradition, the 'dove' symbolizes innocence, a love messenger, gentleness, and a harbinger of peace.