118 Synopsis of the Birds 



protuberant membrane, at base : nostrils medial, longitudinal, 

 perforated in the membrane anteriorly : tongue rather short, 

 acute, entire. Feet short, rather robust ; tarsi reticulated ; 

 toes divided ; hind toe twice as long as the inner : nails in- 

 curved, acute. Wings moderate. Tail of twelve or 

 fourteen feathers. 



Female generally similar to the male. Young differ con- 

 siderably before the first moult. Moult annually. Feathers 

 strong. 



Live in high trees in woods, or on high buildings, generally 

 in societies. Feed on seeds, principally cereal and legumin- 

 ous, sometimes on fruit : retain the aliment in the crop, 

 where it is prepared for digestion. The greater part build in 

 elevated situations ; nest loose, flat, formed of small twigs, 

 and wide enough to contain both sexes; lay generally two 

 eggs, several times in the year. Feed their young by regur- 

 gitating into the mouth the grains macerated in their crop. 

 Pair for life, but congregate in flocks in the autumn. Make 

 a rustling with their wings in the breeding season : male ad- 

 dresses his mate by uttering a peculiar note, by billing, and 

 by various evolutions. Drink at one draught, immerging the 

 bill. No song; voice merely a simple cooing. 



Inhabit all climates ; species far more numerous in hot 

 countries. Almost equally related to Passeres and Gallina?. 



37. COLUMBA. 



Columba L. Briss. Gm. Lath. 111. Cuv. Temm. Columba, 

 Loplnjrus, Vieill. Columba, Vinago, Goiira, Stephen? 

 Ranzani. 



SUBGENUS I. COLUMBA. 



Genus Columba, Stephens. Ranz. 

 u Bill moderately robust, straight, turgid at tip. Tarsi 



