COLUMH.K— COLUMIUD.T: 251 



Breeds. — N. Europe from Norway to Russia ; in Russia 

 south to Perm ; Nova Zeml)la, Spitzl)crt;en, Jan Mayen, Hear 

 Island, Iceland, Faroes, N. and W. Scotland, Ireland (local) ; and 

 across N. Asia and N. America. In winter many move south and 

 occur over Europe to Caspian and Black Seas and Mediterranean ; 

 occasional in Algeria, rare in Egypt ; in Asia south to China and 

 in America to California, Maine, and Florida. 



COLUMB.E. 

 Bill thinnest in middle, expanding towards tip, base 

 covered with soft skin ; food, seeds, beechmast, etc. ; 

 nests open on branches, or in holes in ground or trees, 

 or on rocks or buildings ; eggs white or yellowish 

 white, generally 2, sometimes only i. 



COLUMBID^. 



Tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw. 



COLUMBA. 



Tail 12 feathers; upper part tarsus feathered in front. 



Columba livia livia (imelin. Rock- Dove. Fr. Colombe 

 biset ; Ger. Fclsentaube ; Ital. I*iccione selvatico ; Siocd. 

 Klippdufva. 



cJ ^ Blue grey, paler on back and wings, rump white ; 

 throat, neck and chest metallic green or purple ; two black bars 

 on wing. Iris orange red. Bill brownish black, whitish at base 

 above. Legs and feet red. Wing 215-230. Tarsus 27-30. 

 Bill 17-19. 



Resident. — Faroes, Coasts of Ihitish Isles, especially Scotland 

 and Islands ; Mediterranean Countries and Islands ; Crimea, 

 Ural Mountains ; N.W. Africa ; also SAV. Asia. 



C. livia canariensis Bannerman. Underparts darker grey 

 than in "livia" and rump greyish white; somewhat smaller. 

 Wing 207-227 (H.). 



Tv'rf/V/dV//. — Canary Islands. 



