RING PIGEON, OR CUSHAT. 139 



and the power of perching, and they perish upon the 

 ground, emaciated by hunger and disease. This 

 complaint, for many years past, has heen observed 

 in the northern districts of the kingdom^ but whether 

 it prevails to an equal extent in other parts, we have 

 had no opportunity of ascertaining. The flesh of 

 both young and old is of good flavour, that of the 

 latter being little inferior to the moor-game or grous, 

 which it is thought by many to resemble in taste. 

 This, however, can only be said of it, so long as the 

 bird derives its support from the stubbles, or the 

 produce of the forest ; for as soon as a deficiency of 

 other food compels it to resort to the turnip field, 

 the flesh becomes imbued so thoroughly with the 

 strong flavour of the plant, as no longer to be fit for 

 the table. Though the Ring Pigeon frequently ap- 

 proaches our habitations during the breeding season 

 in search of a site for its nest, and almost seems to 

 court the vicinity of man, it always evinces a timo- 

 rous disposition, and is startled and alarmed by the 

 slightest motion or noise. In the winter, and when 

 congregated, it becomes still more impatient of ap- 

 proach, and is then one of the most wary and watch 

 ful of the feathered race* 



Various attempts have been made to domesticate 

 the Ring Pigeon, but hitherto without success,* for, 



* We have lately been informed that a pair of Ring Pi- 

 geons, in one of the aviaries of the Zoological Gardens, this 

 last year built their nest in a tree or shrub contained with- 

 in it, and that the female laid two eggs, which unfortunate- 



