24 PIGEONS 



instead of being of considerable length. Very important differences 

 from the game-birds are found in the helpless and naked condition of 

 the new-born young, in the mode in which the parents feed the latter 

 by regurgitation from their own crops, and the manner in which the 

 adults drink. Finally, in place of the numerous and coloured eggs 

 of the game-birds, pigeons lay onl}- a single pair of glistening white 

 eggs of a perfectly elliptical shape on a rudely made platform of sticks. 

 According to modern views, pigeons are nearly related to the plover 

 group, from which, however, they differ markedly as regards their 

 eggs. 



Pigeons, as a group, have a world-wide distribution ; this being 

 shared by the typical genus Cobimba, to which belong three out of the 

 four indigenous British representatives. In the case of such a small 

 number of species, it would be superfluous to discuss the distinctive 

 characteristics of the type genus. 



In addition to being apparently the largest British representa- 

 tive of the group, the wood-pigeon, which measures 17 inches in 

 length, is specially characterised by the white patch on each side of 

 the neck, and the white outermost greater coverts of the secondary 

 quills, which form a large patch on the extended wing. The hen is 

 smaller and duller-coloured than her mate. Young birds arc duller- 

 coloured than the adult, lacking both the metallic glow on the feathers 

 and the white neck-patch. The scanty hair-like down of the nestling 

 is yellow. 



The wood-pigeon inhabits the greater i)art of Europe, its breed- 

 ing-range reaching to between latitude 65 and 66 , and eastwards 

 into north-eastern Persia, beyond which it is replaced by a closely 

 allied species {C. lasiotis), in which the patches on the neck are 

 tawny or dark cream-coloured. In Great Britain the wood-pigeon is 

 distributed generally throughout England and Wales, and for some 

 years has been gradually i:)ushing northwards in Scotland into districts 

 where it was previously unknown, this being probably due to the 

 increase of forests, and the consequent sup[)ly of suitable shelter and 

 food. It is now found in Argyllshire, and has reached several of the 

 isles, such as Eigg, Mull, Islay, and Jura. In Ireland it is reported to 

 be numerous and spreading, being now found in almost all districts 

 save the most barren. Large flocks visit Ireland during the winter, 

 and numbers of these birds also arrive from the north to pass that 

 season in England. The enormous increase in the numbers of the 

 species, especially in Scotland, is very remarkable, and likewise a 

 serious matter for agriculturists, since these birds feed entirely on 



