RASORES. COLUMBA. 405 



Others, which approximate nearer to the typical groups (as 

 the Nicobar and Carunculated Pigeons), breed upon the 

 ground, laying several eggs, and the young, when hatched, 

 are covered with down, and follow their mothers like Chick- 

 ens, or young Partridges. In Britain, we only possess ex- 

 amples of the genus Columba, as now restricted. 



GENUS COLUMBA, LINN. DOVE. 



GENERIC CHARACTERS. 



BILL of mean strength, strait at the base ; with the tip or 

 horny point compressed and deflected. Base of the upper 

 mandible covered with a soft protuberant cartilaginous sub- 

 stance, in which the nostrils are lodged towards the middle 

 of the bill, forming a longitudinal cleft. Feet with three 

 toes before, entirely divided, and with one hind toe, articu- 

 lated on the heel. Claws short, and strong ; blunt. Wings 

 of mean length, and acuminate ; the first quill rather shorter 

 than the second, which is the longest. 



The observations made upon the family are equally appli- 

 cable to the genus, and to the particular species found in 

 Britain, all of which belong to that section styled by TEM- 

 MIKCK* and CUVIER " Colombes, ou Pigeons Ordinaires."* 

 The moult of the four European species is simple, and the 

 plumage of both sexes nearly similar. It is from this genus, 

 and from a particular species (Columba livid) that our com- 

 mon dove-cot pigeon has sprung ; as well as the other nume- 

 rous varieties so highly cultivated and prized by pigeon- 

 fanciers. 



* See Mons. TEMMINCK'S splendid work, entitled, " Histoire Natu- 

 relle generale des Pigeons et Gallinacees." 



