204 THE WOOD-PIGEON OR RING DOVE 



Turbits, Barbaries, Tumblers, Horsemen, Spots, etc., modern 

 though tliey may sound, were then applied to the very same 

 varieties which are described under these names in recent Guides 

 to the Poultry-yard. Many of these were of foreign origin, and 

 were known at a remote period in various eastern countries, so 

 that there can be no doubt that the custom of keeping tame Pigeons 

 is of very ancient date. 



The Pigeons in some of tlieir habits approach tlie gallinaceous 

 birds, with which accordingly they are classed. They are fur- 

 nished with long and powerful wings, l)y help of which they can 

 sustain a rapid and continuous flight. They seek their food mostly 

 on the ground, but do not scratch with their feet, and are more 

 given to bathe in water than to flutter in a bath of dust, though 

 in this habit also they not unfrequently indulge. They are fur- 

 nished, moreover, with a large crop, in which the food supplied to 

 their young is partially macerated and reduced to a kind of pulp 

 before the latter are fed. This process is carried on more by the 

 agency of the receiver than of the giver, as the young birds, instead 

 of opening their mouths and allowing the food to be dropped in, 

 help themselves by inserting their bills into the sides of the old 

 bird's mouth. Their mode of drinking differs from that of the 

 true gallinaceous birds ; ttiey do not take short sips, lifting the 

 head after every draught, but satisfy their thirst by one continuous 

 immersion of the whole bill. They build their nests of a few sticks, 

 and lay two white eggs. 



Some of the foreign species are distinguished by their brilliant 

 plumage. Those inhabiting Britain are unmarked by gaudy tints, 

 but redeemed from plainness by the metallic glossy lustre of their 

 neck feathers. 



The Wood Dove, called also Wood Pigeon and Ring Dove, is 

 the largest British species, exceeding in dimensions most varieties 

 of the domestic Pigeon. The summer wanderer through a wood 

 in almost any part of the country can scarcely fail to have been 

 disturbed in his meditations by the sudden flapping of wings of 

 some large bird, which, without uttering any note, dashes through 

 the foliage of a neighbouring tree, and makes off with hurried 

 flight for some distant part of the wood. Seen through the open- 

 ings of the trees, its predominant tint is blue-grey, but a large patch 

 of white is distinctly perceptible on each wing. It might be mis- 

 taken for a hawk, so rapidly does it cleave its way through the air ; 

 but birds of prey are too wary to betray their movements by the 

 sound of their wings ; they, too, rather launch into the air, than 

 start with a violent clapping of their pinions. A Jay might make 

 a similar noise ; but when alarmed it always utters its harsh scream, 

 and, if it comes in sight, may at once be distinguished by the striking 

 contrast of its white and black feathers. The bird just disturbed 

 can scarcely, then, be anything l)ut a Wood Dove, perhaps frigh- 



