ON THE HABITS OF THE RING PIGEON (Columba 

 palumbus, Linn.) 



By Neville Wood, Esq.* 



Of the situation of the Ring Pigeon in the systematic arrangement, it will be 

 sufficient, on the present occasion, to mention that it belongs to the third order of 

 birds, Rasores, to the first family of this order (which, I believe, has not hitherto 

 been divided into its five tribes), Columbidce, and to the typical genus, Columba. 



This beautiful bird is the largest of the British species, and, being indigenous 

 and extremely abundant in this country, is perfectly familiar to the most superficial 

 observer, under the various names of Wood Pigeon, Ring Dove, Stock Dove, &c. 



It is a favourite among individuals who have no personal interest in agricul- 

 ture, on account of its plaintive melancholy cooing, which sounds so delightful 

 amid the thick groves, in a still summer's evening. But by the farmer it is pro- 

 scribed as vermin, and destroyed with relentless pertinacity. Although common 

 in every part of England, it abounds most in wooded districts, where it may be 

 seen in flocks of hundreds, feeding during the day in turnip and rape fields, and 

 retiring at night, in immense numbers, to thick and gloomy woods, always pre- 

 ferring those most distant from the habitations of man. It generally retires rather 

 early to roost, most frequently selecting the same spot, which it flies over and 

 around several times before settling on the trees. If disturbed when about to 

 roost, it will fly off to a considerable distance, and return ; but if scared away a 

 second or a third time, it will select another wood for that night's repose (espe- 

 cially if the evening be far advanced),* where it will sometimes continue for several 

 nights together. 



The flight of the Ring Pigeon is straight, rapid, smooth, and lofty, being 

 effected by quickly-repeated strokes of the wings. In rising out of a thicket, how- 

 ever, or when surprised on its nest, its action is extremely heavy and clumsy until 

 it has gained an open space and full command of its volar powers, when it glides 

 along in a beautiful manner. Although well adapted for long-protracted flight, it 

 does not commonly remain long on the wing — usually passing only from field to 

 field, or from wood to wood. Indeed it is only when food becomes scarce in one 

 district, and the species is thus compelled to seek its sustenance by a partial migra- 

 tion to another, that its wings are exercised for any length of time. In autumn 

 and winter it is mostly met with in flocks ; but early in the year they disperse in 

 pairs over the country. When a pair of Ring Pigeons is started in a wood, espe- 

 cially if they have a nest, one of them invariably pursues a course diametrically 

 opposite to that of the other ; but after flying some little distance, they wheel 



* Author of British Song Birds, &c, &c. 



