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Birds. 



THE KINGDOVE, CUSHAT, OK WOOD 

 PIGEON, 



(Columba palumbiis,) 



Is the largest Pigeon found in our island, by which it 

 may be distinguished from all others ; its weight is 

 about twenty ounces, its length eighteen inches, and its 

 circumference about thirty. It is usually known as the 

 Wood Pigeon. This bird is of a bluish grey colour, with 

 the feathers of the sides of the neck tipped with white, 

 forming several imperfect rings; the breed is common 

 in Britain. Its habits are like those of other birds of 

 the tribe, but it is so strongly attached to its native 

 freedom, that all attempts to domesticate it, with a few 

 rare exceptions, have hitherto proved ineffectual. 



These birds build their nests chiefly on the pine, or 

 holly, with dried sticks thrown rudely together; and 

 the eggs, which may frequently be seen through the 



