Pigeons in NYC are often referred to as "Rats with Wings," the ultimate put-down with a comparison to the City's most reviled animal. But is our contempt for these ubiquitous flying pests warranted or knee-jerk?

In this video from Vox, a strong case for the pigeon is made, and the fascinating history of the pigeon is explored.

Sure, there are bad things about these birds (like the way they deface statues of our own species' great leaders). But over the centuries, their unique abilities to be trained and to find their way home have been used in interesting and surprising ways (that almost make up for their constant cooing).

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free …" stated the poem by Emma Lazarus about America's promise. New York City's Tenement Museum has recreated the apartments of immigrant families who lived in the very same building on the Lower East Side decades ago for a new exhibit, "Under One Roof." Correspondent Martha Teichner joins members of the families revisiting their childhood home at 103 Orchard Street.

Visit the Tenement Museum for more.

Watch this funny video showing a street mouse teasing a frustrated shop cat behind a glass door. The short video was uploaded to YouTube by Yamil Lopera, who told Gothamist:

My wife and I were walking home last night and as we passed the Health Nut Store (1208 2nd Ave., New York, NY 10065) we saw the cat by the glass door very attentively scoping the area on the sidewalk. Next thing we knew this mouse just ran over and started leaping up and down in front of the cat. I took out my iPhone as fast as I could.