THE PIGEON. 



The Rock-dove. 



The Aromatic \ u 



The Stock-dove builds its nest in the stocks of trees, (from whence its name,) and has been known to 

 lay its fcggs in deserted warrens, without making any nest at all. In former times, when forests of beech 

 trees used to cover the country, enormous flocks of these birds frequented them, in order to feed on the 

 beech mast. Now they are not so common, although still in considerable numbers. 



The Turtle-dove, a bird much revered by poets for its constancy, is found in Europe. Its nest is a 

 mere platform of twigs, .on which the eggs are laid. The constancy and affection of this bird for its mate 

 has been deservedly celebrated in all ages, though it is not easy to understand why other birds, such as 

 the Raven, whose constancy is quite as remarkable, should be deprived of the meed of praise due to them. 



The Rock-dove is the original parent of most of our curious varieties of domestic Pigeons. * It is found 

 wild in most parts of Europe and the north of Africa. • 



The Aromatic Vinago is a native of India, Java, and the adjacent islands. It is said to climb the trees 

 with great address, and to frequent the banyan, on the small red fig of which it feeds; whilst its color so 

 blends with that of the foliage that it is difficult, even when a flock is among the branches, to distinguish 

 the birds, unless they flutter about. In the breeding season the pairs retire into the recesses of the forest 

 and re-assemble into cks after the young are reared. The nest is a slight platform of sticks and twigs. 



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The Stock-dove. 



The Turtle-dove 



