52 NATURAL HISTORY [Birds. 



broom, whins, &c. none of the two last of which it could have 

 here. 



ORDER IV. COLUMBINE*. 

 GENUS FI. THE PIGEON. 



Gen. Char.' Bill weak, slender, strait at the base, with a soft protuberant substance, 

 in which the nostrils are lodged ; tongue entire ; legs short, and are likewise 

 red ; toes divided to the origin ; swift and distant flight ; walking pace, &c. 



Species 1. The Common Pigeon. 



Common Wild-Dove, or Pigeon, Wil. Orn. 180. Columba Rupicola, Sib. 

 Scot. 17. Columba Oenas, Lin. Sys. 279- Brit. Zool. 16. Brit. Zool. 

 Illus. tab. 8. fig. 2. 



FOUND in its wild state round all the rocks of the main- 

 land and isles, where they build in the caves, but retire far- 

 ther in than the auks, gulls, or most other sea-fowls, except 

 some of the petrells, &c. which build in holes of the earth, as 

 will be seen in order. 



Pigeons fly in vast flocks, and do no small damage amongst 

 the corn, but especially among peas and other legumes. In 

 winter they are forced into the farmers' yards, where great 



* For the reason of this order, vide Pen. Gen. of Birds, p. 28. 



