308 GYRANTES. COLUMBAD^E. 



mark the motions of an intruder, and long be- 

 fore he is within gun-range it is upon the wing. 

 Few birds are more difficult of approach, unless 

 the intervention of a wall or a thick bush permit 

 a concealed access. Its flight is rapid and forcible, 

 and performed with a peculiar whistling of the wings, 

 by which it is at once recognised, though unseen. 



The Pea-dove is frequently seen in the middle 

 of dusty high-roads, but whether they resort thither 

 for the purpose of dusting, or to procure gravel, I 

 cannot say, as they usually fly as soon as seen. 

 When the rains have ceased, the increasing drought 

 renders these, as it does many other birds, more 

 familiar; and they may be seen lingering on the 

 borders of streams and ponds. Indeed they seem, 

 of all our Doves, to haunt most the vicinity of 

 water ; particularly those dreary swamps or morasses 

 which are environed by tall woods of mangrove. 

 In the winter months, when the pastures are burnt 

 up with drought, we may hear all day long their 

 plaintive cooing, proceeding from these sombre 

 groves, though it is not much heard in any other 

 situation. The coo consists of five deliberate notes, 

 loud but mournful, " Sary -coat-true-blue" all in 

 the same tone, save the second, which is short and 

 elevated. It resembles the note of the Carolina 

 Dove. 



The Pea-dove subsists on various fruits and seeds: 

 pimento-berries, orange-pips, sop-seeds, castor-oil 

 nuts, physic-nuts, maize, and the smaller seeds of 

 pasture weeds are some of his resources. His flesh 

 is white and juicy, and when in good condition is 





