286 COLUMBA LIVIA. 



tubes, which is also the case with those of the Grouse and other 

 gallinaceous birds. Its flesh is rather tough, but otherwise 

 good. 



The great beauty of this bird, its most interesting habits, the 

 wild character of its places of abode, and associations connecting 

 it with the years of boyhood, render it a special favourite with 

 me. Partly for this reason, and partly because I have never 

 met with any detailed history of it, I have been at considerable 

 pains, or rather have with much pleasure endeavoured, to ob- 

 tain by personal observations facts respecting its organization 

 and habits, sufficient to serve as a sample of the manner in 

 which I should wish to describe all our native birds. 



The history of the next species, which greatly resembles it, I 

 am unable to give from personal observation. The descriptions 

 are taken from skins in my collection, presented by G. Head- 

 lam Greenhow, Esq., Tynemouth. 



