134 RING PIGEON, OR CUSHAT. 



ed in the relations of various travellers. Temminck 

 mentions it in his History of the Pigeons, as inha- 

 biting parts of northern Asia and Africa, and it is 

 known to be a native of Madeira, as well as another 

 nearly allied species, lately described in the " Illus- 

 trations of Ornithology," under the title of the Co- 

 lumba Trocaz. In America it has not yet been re- 

 cognized, neither does it appear among the species 

 which abound within the tropical latitudes of the an- 

 cient world. In Britain it is distributed from one 

 extremity of the kingdom to the other, residing per- 

 manently with us; for, though subject to a partial 

 movement upon the approach of winter, when the 

 various individuals scattered over the country collect 

 together, and form extensive flocks, no actual migra- 

 tion takes place, but these congregated masses still 

 keep within their respective districts. The magni- 

 tude of these winter flocks, has no doubt suggested 

 the idea, that a migration from distant climes to this 

 country annually takes place at this season of the 

 year, and that the numbers of our native stock are 

 thus augmented. We see no necessity, however, for 

 supposing this to be the case, nor is it authorised by 

 any observed or established fact. The species in 

 districts favourable to its increase appears to be suf- 

 ficiently numerous to account for the largest bodies 

 ever seen assembled together. 



This congregating of the Ring Pigeons takes place 

 towards the end of October or beginning of Novem - 

 ber, at which time all the autumnal broods have be- 



