THE BIRDS 295 



is said to live chiefly on nutmeg and mace: Unlike the majority 

 of birds, Pigeons drink considerable quantities of water, taking 

 long draughts with the bill submerged to the base: 



The Rock Dove (C. lima], the Stock Dove (C. anas), and the 

 Wood Pigeon (C. palumbus) are British species, the first breeding 

 on the northern coasts of Scotland and Ireland in caves and holes 

 in rocks ; the second on rocky ledges or in rabbit -burrows in the 

 eastern and southern counties of England ; and the third is 

 common in most parts of Great Britain. The Painted Pigeons are 

 small, brilliantly coloured birds, ranging from Australia to the 

 Malay Peninsula. The Passenger Pigeons of America are distin- 

 guished by their remarkable powers of flight ; their wings are 

 exceedingly long and narrow, exceeding the tail in length. Many 

 species are adorned with remarkable crests, ruffs, or other striking 

 peculiarities too numerous to mention here, and the Fantails, 

 Tumblers, Pouter Pigeons, and Carrier Pigeons are familiar to 

 everyone. 



The Tooth-billed Pigeon is a rare and remarkable bird in- 

 habiting the Island of Samoa. It is the only representative of 

 its family, and is peculiarly interesting on account of its kinship 

 to the extinct dodo. This pigeon is a large bird with glossy black 

 plumage, having a greenish tint on the head, chest and mantle, 

 chestnut-coloured wing-coverts, and tail and under parts brown. 

 The feet are red, and the bill, which is hooked and serrated, is 

 orange. Formerly this bird nested on the ground, and at one time 

 was in danger of extinction, but it gradually acquired the habit 

 of building in trees, and since then has increased in numbers. 



