212 RING-DOVE, TURTLE-DOVE, AND LARK. 



THE RING-DOVE. 



This bird receives its appellation from a very regular 

 and beautiful white circle round its neck : the parts above 

 and below this are delightfully variegated with changeable 

 colours, according to the position in which they are viewed 

 by the spectator. 



The ring-dove is the largest bird of its kind which is a 

 native of Britain. It seldom flies single, but in large 

 flocks ; and subsists on ivy berries, and other vegetable 

 substances. It builds its nest on the branches of trees, 

 and all attempts to tame it have hitherto proved ineffec- 

 tual. At the commencement of winter, this species desist 

 from cooing ; but they pair again about the beginning of 

 March. 



THE TURTLE-DOVE* 



This beautiful little bird is found in several parts of 

 England, but particularly in the western countries. It 

 feeds on a variety of vegetable substances; and, being 

 remarkably shy, breeds only in the most retired situations* 

 Its faithful attachment to its mate has been proverbial in 

 every age ; and, according to vulgar tradition, when either 

 of them dies, the survivor remains for ever after in a state 

 of disconsolate solitude, and gradually pines away. 



THE LARK. 



With this sweet songster, which is universally considered 

 as harbinger of the spring and herald of the morn, so many 

 delightful ideas are connected, that few birds are more 

 universal favourites of mankind. There are various spe- 

 cies ; as the common sky-lark, the wood-lark, the tit-lark, 

 and the field-lark : but all the family is musical. The sky- 

 lark is too well known to require a particular description 

 of its form. This species and the wood-lark are the on^y 

 birds that sing, as they poise themselves in the air. The 

 former begins its song before the dawn of day; nor can 

 any thing be more agreeable to the lover of nature than 



