264 COLUMBA PALUMBUS. 



to the shortness of its legs, its breast is but sHghtly elevated. 

 It walks in the manner of the Domestic Pigeon, that is, with 

 short and quick steps, moving its head gently backwards and 

 forwards. The flock disperses and spreads over the field, it 

 being seldom that two or three individuals keep close together, 

 and they generally take care not to approach the enclosing walls 

 or hedges, so that it is difficult to shoot them on the ground. 

 In the time of snow or hard frost, they frequent turnip fields, 

 and are more easily approached ; but in general they are very 

 suspicious and vigilant, ever ready to fly off" on the slightest 

 appearance of danger. Even by clear moonlight, when I have 

 tried to shoot them on their roosts, they perceive their enemy 

 before he can discover them. Frequently, however, in the 

 woods, more especially in the breeding season, one may sur- 

 prise them within shooting distance ; and, by waiting for their 

 arrival at their roosting places in winter, considerable execution 

 may occasionally be done among them. As the flesh of this 

 pigeon aftbrds a sufficiently 23alatable article of food, it is abun- 

 dant in our markets in winter and spring, but generally brings 

 a low price, from sixpence to a shilling. 



The Cushats betake themselves to their roosting places in 

 the woods soon after sunset, and before settling, usually wheel 

 round the spot selected. Should they be disturbed, they fly 

 off* to a short distance, and return ; but if repeatedly molested, 

 they betake themselves to a distant station. In severe weather 

 they sometimes perform partial migrations, but in general are 

 stationary, not finding it necessary to extend their range in the 

 cultivated and sheltered districts, where turnips may always be 

 had during the winter. 



In fine weather they bask in the sun, on dry banks, or in the 

 open fields, rubbing themselves, and as it w^ere burrowing, in 

 the sand or soil, and throwing it up with their wings, as if 

 washing in water, which they also do, like most birds. In 

 drinking, they immerse the bill to the base, and take a long 

 draught, a circumstance in which, as I have already remarked, 

 the Pigeons differ from the Gallinaceous birds. Nor does the 

 Cushat scrape up the earth with its feet, when searching for 

 food. 



