BRITISH BIRDS. 



COLUMBjE. 



COLUMBIDjF.. 



^ii 



CoLUMBA PALUMBUS, Linngeus *. 



THE RING DOVE OR WOOD PIGEON. 



Columha palumbus. 



CoLUMBA, Linnccus^. — Ei]l moderate, straight at the base, conipressetl, the 

 point fleflected. Base of the upper mandible covered with a soft skin, in which 

 the nostrils are pierced. Tarsi short, anteriorly scutellate, posteriorly scurfy ; 

 feet, three toes in front, entirely divided, one toe behind. Wings, long, broad, 

 rather pointed ; the second quill-feather longest. Tail of twelve feathers nearly 

 even. 



* Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, i. p. 282 (1766). \ Tom. elf. p. 270. 



VOL. HI. 1! 



