238 BRITISH LAND BIRDS. 



The EING DOVE is considerably the largest of the 

 order, and is most generally distributed over the 

 country. It takes its name from the circle of 

 white feathers round its neck, and is also called 

 the wood-pigeon, the cushat, and the queest the 

 last name having reference to the plaintive tones 

 of its voice. It may be heard, almost incessantly, 

 in the months of March and April, in thick woods 

 and plantations of fir-trees, in which it delights to 

 build. It commits serious ravages on most kinds 

 of agricultural produce, especially peas. Between 

 seed-time and harvest flocks of these birds are 

 seen, half-buried in the long grass of pastures, 

 foraging for food. When the wheat is in ear, they 

 are terribly destructive, settling down on the 

 corn, and picking out quantities of the milky 

 grain. In winter they attack the field-cabbages 

 and turnips; and in spring, the clover fields, 

 picking out the " eyes," or central leaves of the 

 plants. 



Overlooking these pillaging propensities they 

 are pleasing and ornamental inhabitants of our 

 woodland districts ; and no sounds are more 

 soothing than the low, soft, plaintive notes of the 

 males, as they may be heard serenading their 

 mates in some fine old wood during the tranquil 

 calm of the summer's evening. 



The whole form and appearance of this bird is 



