144 WOOD PIGEON. 



troops. Its food consists of grain of all kinds, pulse, 

 acorns, bcechmast, &c., and like the cushat, when 

 pressed by hunger, it frequently resorts to the tur- 

 nip fields to devour the tender leaves and tops of 

 that plant. Its flesh by Temminck is said to be of 

 exquisite flavour, and far superior to that of the ring 

 pigeon, but this perhaps may only be at certain pe- 

 riods, and when feeding upon some peculiar food. 



Near as it approaches the common pigeon in size 

 and form, no mixed breed that we are aware of has 

 ever been obtained between them, although repeated 

 attempts to effect an intercourse have been made. 

 This in our mind appears a strong and convincing 

 proof, that all the varieties, generally known by the 

 name of Fancy Pigeons, have originated from one 

 and the same stock, and not from crosses with other 

 species, as some have supposed, the produce of 

 which, even could it be occasionally obtained, we 

 have no doubt would prove to be barren, or what 

 are generally termed mules* 



In length the Wood Pigeon measures about four- 

 teen inches, and in extent of wing nearly twenty-six. 

 The head, cheeks, and throat, are pale bluish-grey. 

 The feathers upon the sides and back part of the 

 neck imbricated, of a fine green, changing into pur- 

 ple, or bronzed green in different lights. The lower 

 part of the foreneck and breast are pale vinous, or 

 purplish grey, passing into pale grey, which colour 

 obtains over all the lower parts of the body. The 

 mantle and scapulars are grey, with a brownish 



