186 The Natural Historg 



helps the Eyes, wounded or Blood-shot, and the Gall is one 

 of the most eminent things in the World for defects in the 

 Eyes. 



The Turtle-Doves are very plenty in these parts of 

 America, and breed and remain here all the Year ; they are 

 something less than a common Pigeon, the head and back are 

 of a duskish bine, or ash Colour; they have a more melan- 

 cholly Tone or J^ote, than any of the other Species of Doves, 

 that are to be heard up and down in the Woods, as you travel 

 through them. They live eight Years, are destructive to 

 Corn-fields and Pease, for which reason the Planters make 

 Traps, and catch great Numbers of them. I have frequently 

 eat of them, and they are a most delicious Morsel. Their 

 Elesh has the same Virtues with the Pigeoii, but is peculiarly 

 good against the Bloody Flux. 



The Wild Pigeons are like the Wood-quest, or Stock-dove, 

 only they have longer Tails. They seldom or never appear 

 amongst the Planters, or near their Settlements, but in the 

 Winter (as Wood-cochs do with us) they come down in large 

 Elocks, that it is surprising to behold them. xVfter Sun- 

 rise I have seen them fly, one Elock after another, for above 

 a quarter of an Hour together. They come at this Season 

 of the Year in quest of a small sort of Acorn, that is called 

 the Turhy-Acorn, which groweth on the Turl'y-Oak, where- 

 of I have already made mention. It is common in these 

 Parts, and thereon these Wild-Pigeons feed in that Season, 

 and are very fat. It is observable, that wherever they settle, 

 or roost at Night, they frequently break large limbs of Trees, 

 in several places in the Woods. When they come in these 

 numerous Flocks, they generally clear all before them, scarce 

 leaving one Acorn on the Ground. It is said they breed in 

 the Mountains (and I am persuaded, considerably to the 

 Northward of us, because they never appear here but in tlie 



oxtremitv 



