Our Wild Pigeons. 21 



theory, most of the European species nesting apart, and 

 only gregarious when in search of food and the breeding 

 season is over. 



I believe it is not generally understood, though of 

 course known to naturalists, that in England we have 

 four distinct species of the genus Columba, three of which 

 are called pigeons, the fourth a dove. This is exclusive of 

 the tame or House pigeon, and its numerous varieties. 



Of the wild sorts, the first in point of size, as the most 

 commonly distributed, is the Queest or Quest, also called 

 Cushat. It is the Ring-dove (Columba palumbus) of the 

 ornithologists, a name supposed to have originated in the 

 whitish blotch on both sides of its neck, bearing resem- 

 blance to a ring. The similitude is very slight, and the 

 title altogether inappropriate. More correct is its com- 

 mon appellation "Quest," evidently a derivation from the 

 Latin qucestus, since it is of this species Henry Kirk 

 White speaks as oft warbling " its sorrowful tale." 



A noble bird it is, in symmetry of form far excelling 

 any of the domesticated breeds, while in size it is also 

 their superior. And as an article for the table, it not 

 only excels the tame sorts, but if put into the hands of a 

 cook who knows his or her business, in point of gout it 

 equals the very best of our game birds. Give it the same 

 treatment as a grouse, and if your palate be not regulated 

 by fashion or caprice, you will never after care to pay 

 7*. the brace for moor-cocks while you can buy cushats 

 at 2s. the pair. As for partridges, why they should sell, 

 pound for pound, at three times as much as wild pigeons, 

 is a question I leave to the game dealers. But one 

 which puzzles me yet more is, that a House pigeon, also 

 pound for pound, commands nearly double the price of 

 its woocl-dwelling congener. As a thing to be eaten, 



