THE PIGEON. 343 



Constancy of the turtle-dove. 



The multitude thus collected duiing that season, 

 is so disproportioned to those which continue 

 here the whole year, as to render it certain that 

 much the greatest part of them quit the country 

 in the spring. It is most probable that these go 

 into Sweden and the adjoining countries, to 

 breed; and return thus far southwards in au- 

 tumn, from being unable to sustain the rigors of 

 that climate in the winter months. They again 

 begin to coo in March ; soon after which those 

 that are left among us commence their prepara- 

 tions for breeding. 



Besides these, there are the tumblers, powters, 

 horsemen, croppers, jacobines, nuns, runts, tur- 

 bits, barbs, helmets, dragoons, finnikins, shakers, 

 smiters, &c. which derive their respective names 

 from their several properties. The turtle-dove 

 is a smaller and shyer bird than any of the pigeon 

 kind. It is most remarkable for its fidelity and 

 constancy, and is therefore the emblem of con- 

 nubial attachment. It is said, if a pair be put in 

 a cage and one die, the other seldom long sur- 

 vives. The note of the turtle-dove is remarkably 

 tender and plaintive; and in addressing his mate, 

 the male makes use of very winning attitudes, 

 cooing at the same time in the most soothing and 

 gentle accents. Their stay with us is about four 

 or five months, during which time they build 

 their nests, breed and rear their young, 



