338 



COLUMBIDJE. 



Latin and English poets, not from its being suggestive of 

 pain, but because there is no other word which describes 

 it so nearly. I have already had occasion to remark how 

 unsatisfactory are most of the attempts which have "Been 

 made to represent the songs of birds by combinations of 

 letters, but the Latin name of the Turtle-dove, Turtur, is a 

 notable exception. Pronounced " tur-r-r tur-r-r," it will 



instantly recal the note to any one who has once heard it. 

 The French name also, Tourterelle, can belong to this 

 bird alone. 



The Turtle Dove is found in all the southern countries 

 of Europe; in Palestine, aud many other parts* of Asia, 

 including the islands south of China. In England it is a 

 visitor in the southern and midland counties only, arriving 



