THE RING DOVE. 



THE Ring Dove, Wood Pigeon, or Cushat, as he is 

 variously known, is the only member of the Pigeon tribe 

 found commonly in the inland woods and fields. He is 

 the largest, too, of his order, and his varied and beauti- 

 fully blended plumage and fine form make him a bird 

 ranking as one of the finest ornaments of the woodland 

 districts. His upper parts are slaty-blue, and the breast 

 and under parts are of a delicate warm pink ; on the 

 sides of his neck are a few white feathers, from which he 

 gains the title of ' Ring ' Dove : this ring, however, is 

 not seen in the young birds, and is a mark of maturity 

 alone. The Ring Dove frequents the woodland districts 

 and the neighbouring fields. While the Turtle Dove 

 keeps to the deepest woodland solitudes, and rarely seeks 



