THE EINaDOVE* 



Coluinba palumhas. 



HIS bird is perhaps niore gene- 

 rally known in country districts 

 as the Wood-pigeon, whilst it 

 also possesses in some localities 

 the name of Cushat, which 

 latter name more generally 

 applie^s to poetica l refere nces. 



The voice of the Ringdove 

 must have been heard by every- 

 one in the habit of walking in 

 the country where trees are 

 plentiful. Sometimes, accord- 

 ing to the tenor of the hearer's 

 thoughts or mental condition, 

 the soft '' coo-coo^ co-co-cqoo " 

 has a soothing, sometimes a 

 melancholy influence ; and we 

 have known persons particu- 

 larly irritated by the weari- 

 some iteration. But what 

 poetry would do without the 

 voice and reputed faithful- 

 ness of the Dove as a rhyme to 

 '' love,'' only those who have 

 never scribbled verse can tell. 



