THE PIGEON TRIBE. 77 



that a grasshopper which he had caught was too big for the 

 nursling, he broke it into small pieces, which he passed 

 through his bill to soften, and then, with the most admir- 

 able tenderness, placed one by one in the eager mouth of 

 the tiny expectant. 



The plumage of the cow-bunting is black, with a greenish 

 gloss ; the head and neck are of a deep silky drab colour, 

 and the breast a violet. 



The habits of the Columbidse, or Pigeon tribe, are so 

 well known as not to need a detailed description ; yet we 

 could not quit the Bird World of North America without 

 some reference to the Passenger Pigeon, which is remark- 

 able on account of the immense numbers in which it asso- 

 ciates together, and the extraordinary migrations performed 

 by these vast flocks. The migrations are undertaken in 

 search of food, especially of beech-mast, to which these 

 birds are curiously partial. They settle do^vn upon the 

 forest like a cloud of locusts, and having consumed the 

 whole supply within reach, wing their way to some other 

 district, perhaps at a distance of many miles, but always 

 returning every evening to the place where they first took 

 up their abode. 



An American arithmetician has made an approximative 

 calculation of the number of individuals composing one of 

 these extraordinary legions, and of the enormous quantity 

 of food necessary for their sustenance. Taking, for 

 example, a column about five hundred yards in breadth, 

 which is certainly below the ordinary measurement, and 

 allowing three hours for the birds composing it to accom- 



